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Washington, D. C, July 30, 1871. 
Messrs. Moss & Co. 

Philadelphia. 
Gentlemen : — I acknowledge, with pleasure, the receipt of your 
letter, together with a copy of "The Odd-Fellows' Text-Book and 
Manual," for which accept my sincere thanks. I cannot with any 
degree of propriety, as Grand Sire, endorse the "Manual and Text- 
Book," or any other work devoted to the interests of the Order. 
But I can, and do say, that I am, and ever have been since my 
connection with the Order, in favor of all publications designed 
to throw light upon the subject of Odd-Fellowship, and to eluci- 
date its principles. When the "Text-Book and Manual" is thor- 
oughly revised by our distinguished Brother Bertram, I am well 
satisfied that it will present to the Old as well as the Young Odd- 
Fellow, and to all who may make it a study — a valuable book of 
reference, containing much useful and reliable information touch- 
ing the Origin of the Order, its objects, the duty of the Officers 
and Members of Lodges and Encampments, and other matters 
with which Odd-Fellows, particularly, should be familiar. I think 
every member of the Order should be in possession of a Manual. 



^ 



' S= 



Yokkers, N. Y., June 13, 18G7. 
Messrs. Moss & Co., 

Philadelphia. 
Gent.: — I thankfully acknowledge the receipt from you of 
a beautiful bound copy of the "Odd Fellows' Text-Book and 
Manual." It is a work that every working member of the Order 
should be in possession of, and especially the younger members, 
as they can find more useful and instructive knowledge in regard 
to their duties, as members, or as officers of their Lodges, than 
in any other work that has come under my observation in a num- 
ber of years. I trust, gentlemen, that the sale of this work may 
be large, and that you may be amply rewarded for your efforts to 
supply the Order with a good book, and believe me 




oJ* 



2vQ- 



FORTIETH CONGRESS U. S. 

§ousi[ of l^p^ntattucs. 

Washington, D. C, July Sth, 1867. 
Dear Sirs : 

Arriving here a few days ago, I found awaiting me the 
beautifully bound copy of your Odd-Fellows' Text-Book and 
Manual, Revised Edition of 1867. Some twelve or fifteen years 
have elapsed since I read your former edition, and I spent two 
evenings last week in reading it again in its present improved 
and attractive form. Interesting and instructive as it is, so 
worthy a companion of our noble ritual, and so elegantly embel- 
lished, it will be an ornament to every Odd-Fellow's Library, 
and I trust will be found in thousands of them. 

Truly and fraternally yours, 

To Messrs. Moss & Co., SCHUYLER COLFAX. 

Philadelphia. 








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I 



. 







REVISED EDITION, 1871. 



THE 



ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK 
AND MANUAL. 



AN ELUCIDATION OF 



THE THEORY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP; 



EMBRACING 

A DETAIL OF THE ORDER IN ALL ITS BRANCHES; 

WITH 

FORMS, CEREMONIES, FUNERAL SERVICE, AND ODES WITH MUSIC, 

FOR EVERT OCCASION, AND A MANUAL OF PRACTICE FOR THE 

GUIDANCE OF OFFICERS AND LODGES, TOGETHER WITH A.T8 

ALPHABETICAL TABLE OF PROPER BIBLICAL 

NAMES AND THEIR SIGNIFICATION. 



PASCHAL DONALDSON, 

O. D. GRAND-MASTER OF TEE R. W. GRAND LODGE OF NORTHERN NLTV TORE. 



REVISED AND CORRECTED BY 

P. G. GEORGE BERTRAM, 

STAR OF BETK1EHEX LODGE, NO. 196, PHILADELPHIA. 



*'ir.H ELEGANT ILLUSTRATIVE ENGRAVINGS. 



PHILADELPHIA: 

MOSS & COMPANY. 

1872. 



*\ 



^z 



>%$" 



v 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by 

MOSS & CO. 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the 
Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by 

MOSS & CO., 

in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 




CAXTON PRESS OF 
SHKRMAN & CO., PHILADBLPHU. 



PREFACE 

TO THE FIFTEENTH EDITION. 



The approbation the " Odd-Fellows' Text-Book " 
has received from the great fraternity for whom it 
was prepared, has been proved by the rapid and 
large sale of the previous editions of the work, as 
well as by the commendation of many distinguished 
members of the Order. The numerous changes 
rendered necessary by the legislation of the Grand 
Lodge of the United States have been carefully 
made in the present volume, and the Publishers 
have the satisfaction of believing that they again 
offer to the Order the most perfect work on Odd- 
Fellowship to be found at the present time. 

In the various revisions which changes in the 
organic laws have made necessary, the original 
design of the Author has been carefully preserved, 
by rendering the work in all its parts useful and 
clear to every member of the Order, yet so inge- 
niously blended with the text, that it may be profit- 
ably read by every member of the family circle, as a 
work of great interest, and fraught with good coun- 
sel in all the duties of life. 

Philadelphia, July 1, 1871. 1 



C X T E X T S. 



PAGB 

Ihtbobuctioh -. 5 

Schuyler Colfax, author of the Degree of Rebekah 9 

History axd Tendency of Odd-Fellowship 13 

Chapter I. — General Remarks — Our Mysteries — Origin of 

the Order — History — Antiquity 13 

Chapter II. — Origin of the Order in America 26 

Chapter III. — Principles and Tendency of Odd-Fellowship 39 

The Organization of Odd-Fellowship 49 

A Word to the Xeophyte 54 

The Subordinate Lodge 55 

The Officers of a Lodge 64 

The Noble-Grand 64 

The Vice-Grand , 67 

The Secretary 63 

The A-sistant Secretary 70 

The Treasurer 71 

The Conductor...., 72 

The Warden — The Guardians 73 

The Supporters— The Chaplain— The Junior P. G 74 

The Gavel 75 

The Committees 75 

Of Relief 75 

Of Investigation — Of Finance 75 

On Claims— Of Trustees 79 

Of Investigation and Trials 80 

Payment of Dues 81 

Attendance at the Lodge 83 

Behavior in the Lodge 84 

Behavior out of the Lodge 85 

Duty of one Member toward Another 86 

Charity should distinguish Odd-Fellows 90 

Proposal of Candidates 94 

Discipline of Odd-Fellowship 97 

Principles of Odd-Fellowship 10] 

Or ening and closing a Lodge 106 

Degrees and Degree Lodges 109 

Past- official Degree-, etc Ill 

Subordinate Encampments 112 

State Graxd Lodges axd Grand Encampments 115 

Grand Lodges 117 

Grand Encampments 121 

The Grand Lodge of the United States 124 

Organization of L ind Installation of Officers 129 

An Odd-Fellow's Counsel: in Xine Chapters 132 

An Odd-Fellow's Counsel: concluded , 177 

Secrecy 189 

3 



* CONTENTS. 

PAGl 

The Emblems or the Order 197 

Of the Initiatory Degree 197 

Of the White Degree 199 

Of the Covenant Degree — Of the Royal-Blue Degree 200 

Of the Degree of Remembrance — Of the Scarlet Degree 202 

Of the Patriarchal Degree— Of the Golden-Rule Degree 204 

Of the Royal Purple Degree 205 

The Jewels and Regalia op the Order 206 

Of the Grand Lodge of the United States 206 

Of a State Grand Lodge 207 

Of a Grand Encampment 208 

Of a Subordinate Encampment 209 

Of a Subordinate Lodge 210 

The T. P. W 214 

Cards 215 

Brothers Travelling 217 

Resolutions of Grand Lodge of U. S. on Dismissal Certificates 218 

Ceremony of Laying the Corner-Stone of an Odd-Fellows' Hall 220 

Ceremony of Laying the Corner-Stone of a Church, Academy, or 

other Public Edifice 224 

Form of Dedication of an Odd-Fellows' Hall, or Lodge-Room 228 

Form of Dedication of a Cemetery, or Burial Lot 236 

Ceremony at the Funeral of a Deceased Brother 242 

Hymns for Funeral Service 247 

Ceremony or Form for Presenting a Banner to a Lodge 250 

Form of a Procession of Odd-Fellows 253 

Rules for Subordinate Lodges and D. D. Grand-Masters in Corre- 
sponding with the Grand Lodge on Questions of Law and Usage 256 

Application for Degrees 259 

The Degree of Rebekah 260 

Addressed to the Ladies 266 

To the Uninitiated 273 

Odd-Fellowship and Patriotism 282 

Odd-Fellowship and Religion 283 

An Address for the Use of Odd-Fellows 284 

Odes for Several Important Occasions 307 

The Odd-Fellows' Temple 307 

Anniversary Ode 308 

Consecration Ode 310 

The Burial 311 

Odd-Fellows' Parting Hymn 312 

A Manual of Practice for the Guidance of Presiding Officers and 

Members of Lodges, etc 313 

Condition of the Order in 1870 325 

Odd-Fellowship — What is it? 329 

A Lexicon of Proper Names in the Old and New Testaments, with 

their Correct Pronunciation and Leading Signification 339 



INTRODUCTION 
TO THE TENTH EDITION 



The Order of Odd-Eellows is the largest secret 
association of the age. It has done, and is still doing, 
more real service in the cause of humanity than all 
other similar fraternities. It is in fact, if we except 
the ancient and sublime Order of Masonry, the best 
human institution ever devised. Its extraordinary 
success has proved this assertion; for it has been 
literally as the grain of mustard-seed that was planted, 
from which has grown the tree whose branches now 
overshadow the land, and whose fruits are everywhere 
seen in the good it dispenses among mankind. From 
town to town, from city to city, from state to state, 
has this Order spread, and thousands upon thousands 
of the best men of our nation have been gathered to 
its folds. Wherever its banner has been unfurled, 
hundreds have nocked to it, and wherever its principles 
have been promulgated, the virtuous and the good 
have embraced them. Its march has, indeed, been 



6 INTKODUCTION TO THE TENTH EDITION 

that of a conqueror, though joy and happiness, instead 
of sorrow and misery, have followed in its train. 
Virtue and morality have gone with it, and vice and 
iniquity have been rebuked by it. The hand of its 
benevolence and charity has been extended to succor 
the needy and to dry up the tear of the afflicted. 
The widow in her solitude has called down blessings 
upon it, and the orphan has learned in gratitude tc 
speak its praise. u Hand hath been linked with hand 
in its Friendship, heart hath bounded unto heart in its 
Love, and error and superstition have fallen before its 
Truth." 

Nor have its advantages been confined to this Union, 
Many of its members, having realized its power for 
good at home, have carried it with them to other 
places, and introduced its blessings among the inhabi- 
tants of the islands of the sea. At Honolulu, for 
instance, in the Sandwich Islands, the missionaries 
of Odd-Fellowship have established the Order ; and a 
recent appeal to trie Lodges of the States for the 
purpose of aiding it in those islands, has met w T itb 
a universal response, that does honor to the heart 
of the fraternity. Grand Secretary Ridgely, who 
was instructed by the late Grand Lodge of the United 
States to make the appeal, informs us that this re- 
sponse is such as to cheer the soul of every brother, 
and to make him proud of this glorious association. 

The importance of this Society is becoming more 
and more appreciated. Persons, in every place., hearing 



INTRODUCTION TO THE TENTH EDITION. / 

of its rapid progress, and seeing the influence for good 
it is exerting in communities, are inquiring into its 
history and character. Its members are asking to be 
made better acquainted with it : they are seeking for 
light on a variety of subjects connected with the insti- 
tution. " What is Odd-Fellowship ?" is the general 
inquiry. Let us know its origin, its advancement, its 
laws and usages. Give us such information on the 
subject as may, without any violation of the obligations 
we have taken, be presented to our wives, our children, 
our friends. We desire that all shall know, as we 
have been taught, its excellence. 

To answer this very general demand, this book was 
written. Other works, the periodicals of the Order, 
have circulated widely and defended and explained 
the cause ably ; but a Text-book, that should embrace, 
in a convenient form, all the information desirable, 
was still wanting. Influential members of the Lodges 
in various sections suggested the idea to the publishers 
of this volume. The evidence of its entire success is 
found in the fact that twenty-five thousand copies have 
been sold, while the demand daily increases. 

The work has been carefully revised by the author, 
and several important additions, required by the pro- 
gress of the fraternity, have been made. Among these, 
the new and beautiful " Degree of Rebekah" has 
been judiciously explained, and all proper information 
relative thereto presented. 



8 INTRODUCTION TO THE TENTH EDITION. 

The embellishments, which have been engraved 
anew on steel, in Mr. Illman's best style, are a 
prominent feature of the work. They are considered 
by good judges to be the best pictures ever presented 
in an Odd-Fellows' book. 

P. DONALDSON. 

Philadelphia, 10th August, 1853. 



SCHUYLER COLFAX, 

THE AUTHOR OF THE DEGREE OF REBEKAH. 



Schuyler Colfax was born in the city of New 
York, on the 23d of March, 1823. He is descended 
from General Schuyler and Captain Colfax, both Revo- 
lutionary soldiers, and is also connected with the Dela- 
meters and Vrooms, of New Jersey. At the age of 
thirteen he removed to Indiana, where he served an ap- 
prenticeship to the printing business, and later in life he 
became editor and publisher of the " St. Joseph's Valley 
Register," published at South Bend. He was an influ- 
ential member of the old Whig party until its disrup- 
tion, when he joined the Republican party, of which he 
became at once an acknowledged leader. In 1854 he 
was elected to Congress, and has been successively re- 
turned by increased majorities. In 1863 he was selected 
as the Republican candidate for Speaker of the House 
of Representatives, and was elected by a majority of 
eighteen votes. In 1865 and 1867 he was re-elected 
Speaker, a position he continues to fill with dignity and 
impartiality. 

In personal appearance he is below the medium 
height, has dark eyes and hair, and a large forehead. 
He is a fluent speaker, distinct in his utterance, and 



10 SCHUYLER COLFAX. 

impressive in manner. In his social intercourse he ia 
courteous and affable to all who approach him. 

We are unable to state the precise date at which 
Brother Colfax became a member of the Fraternity 
of Odd-Fellows ; but we have reason to suppose that he 
was initiated some time in the year 1846. The Lodge 
at South Bend, Indiana, where he was received, was 
organized in that year. Neither do we know the times 
when he served in the subordinate offices and as the 
N. G. of his Lodge. We have ascertained, from the 
records of the Grand Lodge and Grand Encampment 
of Indiana, that in July, 1849, he was received a mem- 
ber of those bodies at Indianapolis; and that on the 
very day of his initiation therein he was elected from 
the latter a representative to the Grand Lodge of the 
United States. During his term of office in the National 
Grand Lodge, he was emphatically a working man ; and, 
though he made no effort to signalize himself by speech- 
ifying, he was speedily before the representatives as a 
prominent member. 

At the session of the Grand Lodge of the United 
States, held in Cincinnati, O., in September, 1850, Grand 
Hep. Colfax, with P. G. Sire Kennedy, of New York, 
and Judge Larue, of New Orleans, as associates,, was 
appointed, by Grand -Sire Griffin, the chairman of the 
legislative committee. Previously, Brother Colfax had 
suggested his idea of the Ladies' Degree. This, which 
was of course referred to the legislative committee, w r as 
negatived by the majority of that trio; and Rep. Colfax 
made a sensible and ingenious minority report in favor 
of the Degree, showing the reasons why he deemed it 



SCHUYLER COLFAX. 11 

expedient. The Grand Lodge of the State he repre- 
sented had passed the first resolution in favor of such a 
Degree that had ever been adopted in the Order, and 
Brother C, in urging its passage, seconded the earnest 
wish of his constituents. The records show that this 
minority report of Brother Colfax prevailed; that it 
was adopted by a majority of twelve; and that the 
mover was appointed chairman of the committee to pre- 
pare the Degree. In September, 1851, he reported the 
Degree of Rebekah, which, after some discussiou, was 
adopted by a respectable majority. 

The new Degree encountered on the floor of the Grand 
Lodge a warm but honest opposition. It was contended 
that there was no necessity for such an addition, — that it 
was a dangerous innovation, — that the building of Odd- 
Fellowship was already completely finished, and the 
cap-stone laid. Some, also, desired that final action 
should be deferred, in order that the subject might be 
referred to the Lodges for consideration. The friends 
of the Degree, however, prevailed over all amendments, 
and it was finally passed, and became a portion of the 
work of the Order. 

In the period which has elapsed since its introduction, 
this Degree has accomplished for the Order more than 
was claimed for it by its early advocates ; and many of 
those who opposed it, convinced by the universal favor 
with which it has been received, have become its warmest 
advocates and most earnest supporters. 

The Degree of Rebekah, which has now been in opera- 
tion since January, 1852, has already won the approval 
and admiration of the Fraternity. The Odd-Fellows' 



12 SCHUYLER COLFAX. 

press, without a single exception, has endorsed it as one 
of the best and most desirable improvements of the 
Order. Thousands of ladies have already availed them- 
selves of its privileges, and thousands more are ready- 
to receive them. It is chaste, beautifully written, and 
admirably adapted to the object it designs to effect 
Brother Colfax deserves, as he has received, the sincere 
thanks of the Fraternity for this ornament to the build- 
ing which our fathers framed. 

The frontispiece which adorns the present volume 
was engraved by Mr. Samuel Sartain, from a recent 
photograph. That it is a faithful likeness of one of 
our most distinguished members, the following letter 
testifies : — 

" Washington, D.C., Feb. 2, 1S67. 

"Messrs. Moss & Co., Philadelphia. 

"Dear Sirs: — The engraving you send me is the 
most lifelike I have ever seen. If I had been with Mr. 
Sartain when he engraved it, he could not have made 
the likeness more striking. 

" Yours, truly, 

"Schuyler Colfax." 






THE 

ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 



THE HISTORY AND TENDENCY OF 
ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 



CHAPTER I. 

GENERAL REMARKS— OUR MYSTERIES— ORIGIN OF THE 
ORDER— HISTORY— ANTIQUITY. 

As love and regard grow out of contact and com- 
munion, so, by an unalterable law of our moral consti- 
tution, men naturally behold with indifference, if not 
with aversion and prejudice, objects which seem to 
hold no sympathy with them, and from whose con- 
cerns they are shut out, as it were, by a wall. These 
influences it is our duty to our Order as far as possible 
to remove : moreover, we owe an explanation to soci- 
ety at large ; for wherever the conventional compact 
exists, men are deeply interested in any organization 
which is formed, or any principle which is agitated 
among theni, as ultimately it must have a good or evil 
bearing upon themselves. We declare, then, at once, 
that the whole scope and object of our association is to 
make its members wiser and better men, — by the 
equality and condition which it supposes, to break 
down and soften the arrogance and selfishness of the 
human heart — to subdue the asperities of sects and 

13 



14 

parties — to inculcate charity and brotherly love — to 
strengthen and invigorate all the relations in which man 
can be contemplated, toward himself, his family, his 
neighbor, his country, his God. And to these ends 
our institution appeals directly to bis social, the strong- 
est of all man's instincts. We are simply a society for 
mutual improvement in virtue, religion, and sound 
morals; and for the practice of a judicious, well-di- 
rected, and efficient charity. We bring to the aid of 
this honorable pursuit the principle of social combina- 
tion ; the same principle of activity and energy which 
has been applied to all pursuits, whether industrial or 
moral. It is the remark of an acute and philosophical 
observer, that the " political associations which exist 
in the United States are only a single feature in the 
midst of the immense assemblage f associations in 
that country Americans of all ages, all condi- 
tions, and all dispositions, constantly form associations. 
They have not only commercial and manufacturing 
companies, in which all take part, but associations of 
all other kinds, religious, moral, serious, beneficial, 
etc. If it be proposed to advance some truth, or to 
foster some feeling, by the encouragement of a great 
example, they form a society." These reflections 
evince the strong necessity of moral, as well as other 
combinations, to advance the great cause of human 
improvement; and even were Odd-Fellowship a thing 
of yesterday, we might derive from them a sanction 
for the institution we are seeking to enlarge and per- 
petuate. 

Our " mysteries" are objected to by some, who 
would confound us in this respect with those secret as- 
sociations which, at various eras, have scourged the 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 15 

world : yet our reasons for adopting them seem to us 
simple and satisfactory : for our "mystic signs," with- 
out the medium of a common language, bind in their 
golden chain the tongues and tribes of all the earth. 
They are a safeguard against intrusion, and a protec- 
tion from the imposition of the depraved and aban- 
doned. They may make our connection more inti- 
mate and prevent our labors from being regarded with 
the indifference which familiarity always begets. In 
every age of the world we may trace institutions, whe- 
ther formed for mutual protection, or the prosecution 
of some useful branch of knowledge, to whose pro- 
ceedings the broad seal of secrecy has been affixed, 
the better to shield their labors from the ravages of 
prejudice and ignorance. Thus, in the infancy of Sci- 
ence, her votaries bound themselves by a solemn vow 
to reveal to none bat the initiated her nascent glories ; 
and Religion, throwing around the laboratory of Sci- 
ence and Art her solemn sanctions, seized the mystic 
union of Mind as an agent in enforcing the morals of 
her creed. Dark and unsatisfying as those teachings 
were, they tended to impart that regard for moral asso- 
ciation which would present motives for perseverance 
in the acquisition of useful knowledge. In this early 
age of the world and under these auspices, it is said, 
was laid the foundation-stone of the celebrated " Eleu 
tynian Mysteries" about which so much has been said, 
and so little is really known : and, though we admit 
their subsequent perversion to the worst purposes, in 
that primitive age, they embodied the perfection of the 
moral code then known. At the period referred to 
and for ages subsequent, Egypt was the seat of sci- 
ence ; and the learned of every nation crowded her 



J6 

temples, and sought admission to her mysteries — fbi 
in them alone were the undimmed beauties of knowl- 
edge permitted to shine. Homer, Lycurgus, Flato, 
Thales, Euclid, and a long roll of remembered names, 
were initiated by the Egyptian priests, and returned 
home laden with the wisdom which the world then 
possessed. A branch of this institution was trans- 
planted into Greece, by the Egyptian Cecrops, the 
founder of Athens ; and into Judea, doubtless by those 
wise men who built the temple of Solomon ; and thus 
by degrees the mysteries passed into most of the East- 
ern nations, and thence into other countries. Some 
have charged the excesses of the feasts of Bacchus, 
and the other abominable rites of heathenism, to this 
association. They were in no manner connected with 
them, but were the result of vile imitations, of which, 
at this distant day, we can form no proper conception. 
Following in the line of history, through all subsequent 
periods, we perceive similar associations, modified by 
time and the religious customs of the countries in 
which they existed, no doubt shoots of the luxuriant 
stem that flourished in the nursery of young Science. 
The " Dionysian Artificers" " Essenes," " Kasa de- 
ans ," " Fraternity of Builders ," and, finally, the 
"Fraternity of Ancient York Masons" — all these 
are only modifications through which the principle 
of secret social union has passed down to us from an- 
tiquity. We refer to these societies, because the rec- 
ord of their existence is more clear and distinct tnan 
that of many others whose memory is lost in oblivion. 
In truth, the mementoes of the principle of secret asso- 
ciation are impressed upon our very language in vari- 
ous forms. Thus, not to go farther, we hear, as a 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 17 

common expression, of the mystery of particular trades, 
in which the master binds himself to instruct his ap- 
prentice ; by which we are distinctly referred to ihe 
fact in the history of modern Europe, that when Art 
began her infant struggles against feudal oppression, 
her first acquisitions were fenced in and protected by 
the bonds of mystic union. Her accomplishments were 
mysteries to which the initiated only advanced by de- 
grees, and under the solemn compact to preserve them 
inviolate. By these aids did she, with her handmaid 
Commerce, contribute to raise a noble fabric of Eng- 
lish civilization, which has braved the storms of a 
thousand years. The societies of the ancient Druids 
furnish another example of the force of the social prin- 
ciple. They, too, had their temples of mystic sci- 
ence, the humanizing influence of which probably pre- 
served their history from the stain of human sacrifice : 
and, even among the aborigines of our own continent, 
small, select compacts are said to exist, bound by the 
seal of secrecy, who communicate by signs, and insist 
that their societies have existed from eternity. The 
most interesting of these is found among the Iroquois ; 
it consists of five Oneidas, two Cuayagas, two Saint 
Regis, and six Senecas. It is thus avouched, that the 
natural, as well as the civilized man, seeks a more in- 
timate and endearing connection with his fellow than 
is secured by the common usages of society. Let it 
not be objected, that to secret associations may be as- 
cribed frauds, iniquities, and oppressions, the darkest 
that stain the page of history. Thus, we have not for- 
gotten the " Rosa Croix" or " Brothers of Exalted 
Dew" the " Carbonari of Italy" or the " German 
Illuminate" — wretches wbo paled the very cheek of 



18 

night with their atrocities ; nor the Thugs of India, 
more recently discovered, where the bond of union 
was cemented with human blood — among whom mur- 
der and robbery were accounted degrees of honor, and 
who for centuries had been applying the knot and 
cord to their victims indiscriminately, and without dis- 
covery or suspicion. Let it be remembered that these 
societies were really secret in their character : that the 
members were unknown ; that their places of meeting 
were concealed ; their purposes infamous : we might 
as well conclude all government unjust and oppres- 
sive, because the despotism of the Old World deprived 
men of their inalienable rights, as to charge a sound 
system of moral union with the vices and evils of cor- 
rupt association. 

With regard to the origin of Odd-Fellowship, we 
claim for it a high antiquity. At a meeting of breth- 
ren, held in the Greenock district, Scotland, in 1S40, 
Brother Cooper, a gentleman fully conversant with 
his subject, remarked that our Order was first estab- 
lished by the Roman soldiers, in camp, during the 
reign of Nero, in the year 55. " At that time," says 
Brother Cooper, "they were called Fellow- Citizens ; 
and the present name was given by Titus Cassar, in 
the year 79, from the singularity of their notions, and 
from their knowing each other by night or by day ; 
and from their fidelity to him and their country, he 
not only gave them the name of Odd Fellows, but at 
the same time, as a pledge of friendship, presented 
them with a dispensation, engraved on a plate of 
gold, bearing different emblems — such as the sun, 
moon, stars, the lamb, the lion, the dove, and other 
emblems of mortality." 



THE ODD-FELLOWS* TEXT-BOOK. 19 

The first accounts of the Order being spread in 
other countries are in the fifth century, when it was 
established in the Spanish dominions; and in the sixth 
century, by King Henry, in Portugal. In the twelfth 
century it was established in France ; and afterward 
by John de Neville in England, attended by five 
knights from France, who formed a " Loyal Grand 
Lodge of Honor" in London, which remained until 
the eighteenth century (in the reign of Gaorge III.), 
when a part of them began to form themselves into a 
Union ;* and a portion of these remain up to this day. 
The Lodges which have arisen from these several or- 
ganizations are numerous throughout the world, and 
have been called, at different periods, by the names of 
the " Loyal Ancient Odd-Fellows" the " Union Odd- 
Fellows" and the " Manchester Unity Odd-Fellows." 
This last is of more recent date, and there is no doubt 
of its emanation from the original sources above-named. 
Its first introduction into Manchester was about the 
year 1S00, by a few individuals from the " Union" in 
London, who formed themselves into a Lodge, and 
continued in connection with the "Union" Order for 
a time, when some differences caused a separation, 
and the Association declared itself independent; hence 
we now have the " Independent Order of Odd-Fellows." 
— They have kept their word — "independent" they 
have been since this " difference :" and they have 
progressed in number, in talent, and in respectability ; 
at this moment the banner of Odd-Fellowship proudly 
floats in many a clime, waving over the ruins of pov- 

* It is due to truth and candor to remark, that there is no 
doubt the earlier Lodges of Odd-Fellows in England were of a 
oionvivial character. 



20 

erty and sadness. The genius of benevolence may be 
seen pointing the way where sorrow may be solaced, 
and poverty ameliorated. Observe the immense num- 
ber of Odd-Fellows in Great Britain, in the United 
States, in Holland, Germany, Spain, and even in New 
South Wales, Gibraltar, and Malta : in short, from the 
burning rays of the torrid to the cheerless sky of 
the frigid zone, and in " the islands of the seas," an 
Odd-Fellow may find a brother. Witness the Frater- 
nity in California, as an example of the beneficent pur- 
poses of the Odd-Fellows. What have they not done 
for the poor, the friendless, the sick, and the dis- 
tressed? How many, who have gone hence with high 
hopes and fair prospects — who expected to bring from 
the " land of promise" the golden substance that was, 
in their own hopeful imagination, to make them for 
ever invulnerable (pecuniarily) to the numerous " ills 
that flesh is heir to," but had fallen, half-way between 
their starting-point and their goal — have been raised 
from wretchedness by the kindly offices and sym- 
pathy of the Odd-Fellow, and restored to the home 
which they abandoned for what proved, to them, tiuly 
an ignis fatuus ! Yet these are by no means solitary 
examples. The history of Odd-Fellowship is full of 
similar acts. 

But, with all due respect for Brother Cooper's in- 
teresting statement, concerning the origin of the Order, 
we must be permitted to remark, that, while we will 
not deny its authenticity, we have very little concern 
in regard to the antiquity of Odd -Fellowship. We 
are for principles, rather than dates, and more disposed 
to inquire what the Order is, than when it originated. 
There is a disposition in many minds to view with a 






THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. ,. 21 

kind of sacredness that which bears the stamp of an- 
tiquity. Forgetting that 

" The Old yields always to the New," 

/hey often honor and revere systems and institutions, 
simply because they are " ancient." We are free to 
say — even though the assertion may subject us to the 
charge of heterodoxy — that in our view Odd-Fellow- 
ship would be no better, as a Fraternity simply, if it 
were as old as the bow of heaven, or the everlasting 
hills. We contend that the principles on which it is 
founded, the objects it has in view, and the good influ- 
ences that it exerts among men, are matters much more 
important than its " venerable age." Why should we 
glorify the past ? Let us for a moment consider this 
matter. What has man accomplished in modern days, 
which man in ancient times never dreamed of attempt- 
ing ! There is no more of the subtle, indefinable light 
now than there was when the Almighty created it ; but 
neither the wise Babel-builders, nor Diana's craftsmen, 
nor the Grecian or Roman philosophers and sages, 
understood, as Newton did, how to analyze, dissect, 
and subdivide it, as the anatomist divides his subject. 
The materials that compose the deadly gunpowder all 
lay in their secret chambers, when Samson slew his 
thousands with the jaw-bone, and Shamgar put to 
death six hundred men in a day with an ox-goad ; yet 
not until the fourteenth century of the Christian era 
was it sent out, by Schwartz, of Germany, in its roar 
and blasting, to terrify and destroy. Water would fly 
off in steam, and was as capable of generating this po- 
tent agent in the days of the battering-rams, and the 



25? THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 

sluggish Grecian ships, as it is at the present time : but 
it was left for Watt, and Fitch, and Fulton, to " give 
it the wings of the wind and the energies of Jupiter." 
From the day that clouds, mingled with fire and smoke, 
rolled in fleecy volumes over Sinai's summit, the light- 
nings have shattered the old trees of the forest, and 
the thunders uttered their voices of desolation over the 
ruins; yet nearly 1800 years of the Christian dispen- 
sation had passed away, when Franklin's genius, supe- 
rior in this respect to the most brilliant minds that had 
preceded his, gave identity and character to electricity, 
and subjected the incomprehensible fluid to his will. 
The principle by which the electric essence might be 
made the medium of thought and intelligence has ever 
existed ; yet among all the wise, and learned, and sci- 
entific of the ancients, there was no Morse to apply it. 
The art of printing, a knowledge of which would have 
been of infinite value and importance to the book- 
makers of the ancient world, was not discovered by 
the "wise men of old ;" but, by an humble German, 
as late as the fifteenth century. 

Odd-Fellowship, as an operative, individual com- 
pact, may be " ancient ;" it may claim with some cer- 
tainty to have originated in the palmy days of old 
Rome ; but there is positive evidence that its princi- 
j)Ics — its ?iiate?-i el — have existed from time immemo- 
rial. It was the spirit of our system which went up 
in acceptable incense from the altar of righteous Abel ; 
which warned the ungodly and vile citizens of Sodom 
and Gomorrah ; which went with Abraham into the 
wilderness, among the wretchedly ignorant and idola- 
trous heathen, and caused him there to rear his al- 
tar of true patriarchal piety and genuine worship 



THE ODD-FELLOWS* TEXT-BOOK. 23 

which led him to the mountain, where the wood and 
fire were prepared to sacrifice his only son ; and as he 
raided the shining death-knife to plunge it into the 
heart of his boy — his beloved — the angel whose soft 
tones came from the throne, crying " Forbear !" also 
recorded one of the features of this Order, Fidelity. 
What we would contend for is principle, not a name ; 
truth, rather than antiquity ; original greatness, rather 
than ancient identity. If we affirm, therefore, that 
Odd-Fellowship as a compact should receive little 
credit for antiquity, we are always ready to elucidate 
the fact, that its essence, its principles and power, are 
coeval and coexistent with the race of Adam. We 
can see, in the mellow tints of the rainbow that the 
Almighty bended in the heavens, that principle which 
gives our Institution one of the gems in its crown — 
Faithfulness to a solemn promise. We can hear, in 
the thunders that shook Sinai, the voice of Truth, as 
its glowing fire flashed in the clouds that lowered about 
that monument of the Divine presence and power. In 
the ephod, and the breastplate, and the curious girdle, 
spoken of in Scripture, we can see the symbols of that 
benevolence and friendship, which, even in a barba- 
rous and iron age, were delegated to individuals, that 
the name and excellence of the everlasting God might 
be declared and revered, and mankind might take their 
degrees in moral and intellectual advancement. We 
can see, in the two tablets of stone, that were carried 
" early in the morning" to the mount, when the Lord 
descended in the cloud, and the covenant with Israel 
was made, the signs and tokens of a moral power be- 
fore which the altars and images of paganism crumbled, 
and light and reflection shed their healing influence 



24 

amid the unhallowed groves of the unsanetified idola- 
ters. We can trace, in the friendship of David and 
Jonathan, an affection that made them lovely in their 
lives, and that united them in death — a love that made 
an arrow a tongue to speak, when the murderer 
whetted his death-knife. Do men inquire how "old" 
Odd-Fellowship is ? We refer them to the smoking 
incense that rose from the altar of righteous Abel ; to 
the dove, as it bore to the ark, that stood above the 
ruin of a world, the olive-leaf; to old Noah, amid his 
vine-clad farm, surrounded by the cattle on a thousand 
hills ; to Caleb and Joshua, as they stood by the heap 
of stones, reared up as an everlasting symbol to the 
generations to come, of Friendship, Love, and Truth ; 
to Jonathan and David, as they stood by the stone 
Esel, where, in the touching language of Scripture, 
"David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell 
on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three 
times : and they kissed one another, and wept one with 
another, until David exceeded." 

We assert, therefore, of Odd-Fellowship, that its 
materials — its life-blood, and heat, and soul — are as 
old as the first Sabbath morning — as old as the " sol- 
emn and binding obligation" that united the beating 
hearts of the first pair in the garden of Eden. w T hen 
*' angels w T ere the witnesses, and God the priest." 

The patriarch Lot, surrounded by a vicious race who 
had corrupted the earth, seemed to be the only good 
man in that dense and abominable mass of wickedness 
to unfurl the banner on whose folds were written "Fi- 
delity," and the motto, " In God we trust." Daniel, 
and Jeremiah, and Job, with others, are examples 
which demonstrate the nature of those moral principles 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 25 

that constitute Odd-Fellowship. As far back in the 
annals of the past as Cyrus, the-*Persian king, we can 
see traces of that spirit, which, superior to the contami- 
nating influences of selfishness, and lust, and pride, 
rises to the dignity of the man and the magnanimity 
of the philanthropist. Greece, too, had her Lycurgus, 
to hurl the shafts of his firmness and humanity against 
the miscreant demagogue, and to revolutionize the 
affairs of his waning country. And when Solon, like 
some appointed angel who can calm the storm and 
stay the thunders, set his foot on the code of Draco, 
his generation comparatively became " social and hu- 
mane;" and Cruelty for a time lost its "travelling- 
card," and Revenge had no " password." Thus we 
might follow the history of man from one age to another 
down to the present day, and show that, in the darkest 
periods, what men most desire, "Light" — what they 
love, " Virtue" — what they ought to practise, " Be- 
ii cxi deuce" — what is most conducive to peace and hap- 
piness, " Truth" — have all had their warm advocates 
and supporters. But we have said enough on this 
subject. We must, however, in conclusion, repeat 
the following sentiment, which is (or should be) familiar 
to us all : " We are Odd-Fellows, and Odd-Fellows 
only, when we speak and act like honest men." If 
we practise the precepts of our Order, we must be 
irood men ; and, whether we be ridiculed or com- 
mended, we shall ever have the consolation to know 
that we are preserving the best treasures of the past — 
goodness, fidelity, and friendship. Yet we must per- 
mit this " past" to repose upon its own merits. As in 
ordinary life, no man should entirely depend on the 
opinions and experience of his predecessors, so this 



26 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

Fraternity of ours (which, in a very important view 
may be esteemed as fixed on what may be called a 
<4 one idea," or individual basis) should not found its 
importance and excellence on its ability to prove that 
it has existed for a longer period than circumstances, 
or proofs of the facts, sure and unequivocal, will admit. 
In all conditions of life, and among all classes of men, 
honesty is invariably " the best policy." And Odd- 
Fellows, more than all other men, should be honest. 

But we have detained the reader quite " time enough" 
— and we shall therefore now endeavor to show the 
true origin of the Order of Odd-Fellows in America, 
and its tendency. This w T e shall do honestly and sin- 
cerely, and will tell only what is really the truth — 
truth which may be corroborated by testimony that 
must be regarded as invulnerable. 



CHAPTER II. 
ORIGIN OF THE ORDER IN AMERICA. 

The actual commencement of Odd-Fellowship in 
America was in 1806. This, we are aware, has been 
disputed by some who are interested in dating its ori- 
gin here at a later period ; but the facts are too clearly 
proven to admit of any successful controversy. It will 
appear from the following documents; for the genuine- 
ness of which we pledge our veracity as a faithful his- 
torian, that the first Lodge was opened in the old 






27 



" Shakspere House, " or tavern, in Fair street, now 
Fulton, No. 1-35, between Nassau street and Broad- 
way, New York, on the twenty-third of December, 
1S06. The institution did not, however, prosper in 
the hands of the worthy and now venerable brethren 
who were then concerned in it. Doubtless, they ex- 
erted their utmost efforts to establish the I. O. of O. F. 
on a firm basis ; but the soil, at that day, was uncon- 
genial to its growth ; and the honor of its establishment 
in the New World was to fall upon other and success- 
ful pioneers. Yet the New York brethren are entitled 
to credit for their efforts in this cause; and it should 
be remembered that their failure was the result of in- 
surmountable difficulties. We are indebted to P. G. 
Downing, of Columbia Lodge, No. 1, New York, for 
the following documents : — 

" This is to certify that I. William E. Chambers, together 
with Solomon Chambers, John C. Chambers, William West- 
phall, and William Twaites, did meet together, in the fall of 
1806, for the purpose of making inquiry and collecting together 
all Odd-Fellows, for the purpose of establishing a Lodge ; and, 
after advertising for several weeks, we found just enough to fill 
all offices, and the following are the names of the first five that 
met together: Solomon Chambers, John C. Chambers, William 
E. Chambers, William Westphall, and William Twaites, come- 
dian : and after we had collected the remainder, and in fact all 
we could, we then concluded to raise and form a Lodge, as three 
of us had passed the chair in the old country. We then made 
up our minds to establish a Lodge at the house of Thomas Hodg- 
kinson, known as the ' Shakspere Tavern,' in Fair street, now 
135 Fulton street, between Broadway and Nassau street, on the 
left hand from Broadway. This house was frequented by the- 
atrical gentlemen : therefore we gave it that name, and called 
it the ' Shakspere Grand Lodge of Odd- Fellows ;' and, believ- 
ing that there was no other Lodge in the country, we set our 
shoulders to the wheel, and all, like good Odd-Fellows, went to 



28 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

work in making what we could toward it. So we persevered, 
completed our work, and had as handsome a Lodge-room as any 
in the city now. After that we went to work and appointed our 
officers, in the following order: Solomon Chambers, M. N. G. ; 
John C. Chambers, V. G. ; William E. Chambers, R. H. S. to 
M. N. G. ; Richard Ford, L. H. S. to M. N. G. ; Benjamin 
Warry, R. H. S. to V. G. ; James Chesterman, L. H. S. to 
V. G. ; William Westphall, Warden ; William Helass, Guar- 
dian ; and J. D. Myers, Secretary. Previous to J. D. Myers 
being a member, William Twaites acted as Secretary, and we 
initiated J. D. Myers, who was afterward our regular Secreta- 
ry ; then we initiated our worthy host, and considered our work 
done. 

"The night we opened our Lodge we received propositions 
for about fifteen members. This was good encouragement, and 
it caused us to labor cheerfully, and we continued our labors and 
improvements in such a manner, that, during the first quarter, 
we had over eighty good and faithful Odd-Fellows ; and the 
Lodge continued in a flourishing state for a long time at the 
above house, where myself and my brother and father all passed 
the chairs. After some time, the Lodge was removed to the 
' Trafalgar House/ in Gold street, kept by Brother Edgarly, as 
we had not sufficient room where it was first established. After 
that it was removed to the ' Ring of Bells/ in Coffee-House 
slip, kept by Brother Spencer ; after which it was removed to 
Brother William Moore's, at the corner of Cedar and Temple 
streets, in consequence of the death of Brother Spencer. After 
that time it seemed to fail, and I believe that it was pretty 
much the last; for, as I had to leave New York for the fron- 
tiers during the last war, IJieard no more of it, and when I 
returned I could not trace it out, and so it slept for a time. But 
during my time we were applied to for a branch to go to Phila- 
delphia ; but whether it was granted, I cannot tell. My father 
and brother and myself passed the chair during its continuance, 
and also Captain John Hewett and William Moore. 

"To all whom it may concern: The above document 
is a true statement of the first formation of the Order of Odd- 
Fellows in the city of New York, made by William E. Cham 
bers, the only surviving founder in the city of New York of the 



29 

Shakspere Grand Lodge of Odd-Fellows,' instituted and opened 
the twenty-third of December, 180G. 

" William E. Chambers, 527 Greenwich St., N. Y." 

" This is lo certify that I, John C. Chambers, was one of the 
founders ot the first Lodge of Odd-Fellows, instituted and 
opened the twenty-third of December, 1806, at the house of 
Thomas Hodgkinson, known then as the ' Shakspere Tavern,* 
No. 17 Fair street, now called Fulton street, in the city of New 
^York. And said Lodge was hailed and styled the ' Shakspere 
Grand Lodge of Odd-Fellows.' 

"John C. Chambers, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., 

" P. G. M. of the Loyal Independent Grand Lodge, 
" Westminster, England." 

♦'I hereby certify that 1 was made a member of the ' Shak- 
spere Grand Lodge,' held at the ' Shakspere Tavern,' in Fair 
street, now called Fulton street, in the year 1806; and that 
Solomon Chambers was Most Noble Grand, and John C. Cham- 
bers was Vice Grand. William E. Chambers was K. H. S. to 
M. N. G. 

"John R. Thomas, N. Y." 

" This is to certify that T was a member of the ' Shakspere 
Grand Lodge of Odd-Fellows,' about the year ] 807, held at 
' Shakspere Tavern,' kept by Mr. Hodgkinson, in Fair street 
(now Fulton street). Mr. Solomon Chambers was Most Noble 
Grand, and Mr. John C Chambers Vice Grand. 

" The only surviving members I now recollect are Mr. James 
Chesterman, Mr. John C. Chambers, and Mr. William E. 
Chambers. 

"William Dubois, No. 285 Broadway, N. Y." 

" This is to certify that I was a member of the ' Shakspe.e 
Grand Lodge of Odd-Fellows,' held at the ' Shakspere Tavern, 1 
in Fair street, now Fulton street, in 1806, or thereabout: with 
Mr. William E. and Mr. John C. Chambers, and their father. 
Solomon Chambers, who was M. N. G., and John was V. G. 
Mr. William Dubois, of Broadway, was a member. 

"James Chesterman, 710 Broadway, N. Y." 



39 THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 

'• Shortly after mv return from New Orleans, in the early 
part of 1819. as near as my memory serves, T was proposed by 
Mr. Nexson (a school-teacher, and then acting as Secretary), 
and became a member of ' Shakspere Lodge, No. 1.' At 
this period it was generally conceded that the ' Shakspere' was 
the oldest (if not the only) Lodge in the United States. We 
held our meetings in the house corner of Cedar and Temple 
streets, occupied by Mr. William Moore, who had been a mem- 
ber of the theatrical profession. I remember well that at his 
house we elected as Treasurer the performer, Mr. Hopkins Rob-/ 
ertson, who died while holding that office, and by a unanimous 
vote of the Lodge the funds then in his possession reverted to 
hi* willow, who was in indigent circumstances. 

"About two years after, the Lodge was removed to the house 
occupied by Mr. Mahany, in Chatham near Spruce street, where 
we opened under the name of ' Franklin Lodge, No. 2.' It was 
in this Lodge that General George P. Morris, editor of the 
4 Mirror,' passed the chairs. I was elected Secretary at this 
period, and continued in that situation for two years, during 
which time the Lodge was removed to Water street, near 
Beekman slip. I left the city soon after removing to this loca- 
tion, and know not what became of certain books and documents 
at that time under my control. I can not say who succeeded 
me as Secretary, but understood that they merged into the 
4 Columbia Lodge.' 

" As regards the antiquity of 'Shakspere Lodge, No. 1,' I 
never heard it questioned ; and 1 am assured there are members 
now living who can testify that it existed in this city fourteen 
years previous to my becoming a brother, in 1819, at which 
time it was revived under the old dispensation. 

" Manly B. Fowler, N. Y-" , 

In the year 1816, according to the testimony of 
Brother Charles Sherwood, of New York, who as- 
serts that his authority for the statement is undeniable, 
there were a few Odd-Fellows, all foreigners by birth, 
who met together in New York, and organized them- 
selves into a Lodge, which they called " Prince Re- 
gent's Lodge." This institution, also, from various 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 31 

causes, failed to establish and carry out the principles 
cf the Order. Late in 1S22, a charter was obtained 
from the Loyal Beneficent Duke of Sussex Lodge, 
No. 2, id Liverpool, England, and Columbia Lodge-, 
No. 1, of the city of New York, which is still in suc- 
cessful operation, w r as regularly organized. 

There can be no doubt, however, that Wildey was 
the actual originator and founder of Odd-Fellowship, 
as it exists in America. He was accustomed to the 
enjoyment of the society of Odd-Fellows at home, and 
he felt naturally anxious for similar society here. 

Thomas Wildey was born in London, in 1785. In 
1806, at the age of twenty-one, he was initiated into 
" Independent Lodge," at Bath, England, in which he 
was subsequently raised three several times to the prin- 
cipal chair. In July, 1818, he embarked for America, 
and on the second of September of that year arrived at 
Baltimore, where he immediately commenced the busi- 
ness of coachspring-making, which he had learned with 
his father. On landing, he was desirous to visit a 
Lodge, and was much astonished on being informed by 
a biother of the Order whom he met — John Welch, 
also a foreigner — that there was no Lodge in Balti- 
more. Wildey and Welch, however, determined to 
ascertain if there were no Odd-Fellows in the city, and 
they accordingly gave public notice, calling for mem- 
bers of the I. O. O. F. The result was the meeting 
of five, and the subsequent formation of a Lodge. To 
Henry M. Jackson, the first N. G. of Franklin Lodge 
(the second Lodge instituted), and John Boyd and 
John Crowder, Mr. Wildey was much indebted for 
assistance in the infancy of the Order. 



The following thoughts, in connection with the his* 
tory of this matter, have been furnished us by a brother 
who has been long a valuable member of the Frater- 
nity : — 

" In the year 1819, two worthy brothers of the Order 
of Odd-Fellows by chance met in the city of Baltimore. 
They were foreigners by birth, and had left their na- 
tive land to seek an asylum in this country. Jt would 
appear that they were not strangers to each other in 
their mother-country, or, if they were, they at once 
recognised one another as having been co-workers in 
the great cause of humanity in the land of their birth ; 
and, as they were often together, their conversation was 
naturally directed to the subject of the Order : they 
had known and enjoyed its kindly principles at home, 
and it was with deep and bitter regret that an institu- 
tion so kindly in its principles, and so congenial to the 
government and country they had adopted, had not 
found its way across the ocean. 

" Many were the schemes they devised to ascertain 
what number of Odd-Fellows, if any, could be found 
on the western continent, for it does not appear they 
had any knowledge at this time of the previous estab- 
lishment of the Order in New York. After many vain 
and fruitless efforts, they accidentally hit upon the plan 
of giving public notice through the newspapers of the 
day, calling a meeting of such of the Order as should 
have come to this country from the Old World, and 
designating the time and place of meeting. The long- 
looked-for day and hour at length arrived, and with 
trembling and anxious hearts they assembled at the 
place of meeting — and behold! three besides them- 
selves, out of the vast population of the United States, 



S3 

assembled at the call of their brethren, and made them- 
selves known. These five humble individuals met, 
not as strangers to each other in a distant land, but as 
brothers whose hearts and souls were united in the 
bonds of Odd-Fellowship. Although they were stran- 
gers to one another in the general acceptation of the 
term, yet as Odd-Fellows they were brothers, and re- 
garded and esteemed each other as old and long-tried 
friends, because they knew the most implicit confi- 
dence could be reposed in one another, and that it mat- 
tered not what language they spoke, or what country 
or clime gave them birth : they met as friends, and were 
bound together in the ties of friendship. 

" No motive but the purest brotherly love had called 
them together ; nothing but the pure spirit of benevo- 
lence, and a desire to advance and improve the condi- 
tion of man, actuated them to assemble on that occa- 
sion ; no motives of gain, no allurements to wealth or 
power, no high-sounding titles of distinction, brought 
them together : they were men without any particular 
influence — with no pecuniary means, except such as 
was necessary for their comfort and temporal happi- 
ness in the humbler walks of life. They, however, 
firmly resolved to surmount all obstacles, and, if pos- 
sible, to plant the seed of Odd-Fellowship in the soil 
of Freedom ; firmly believing that, if properly nour- 
ished and watered, it would speedily take deep root, 
and that its branches would extend far and wide, until 
the inhabitants of the whole western continent could 
repose under its shade, and receive nourishment from 
its fruits. 

" They accordingly applied to England, and after 
much anxiety and delay procured a charter, and this 



34 THE ODD-FELLOWS 1 TEXT-BOOK. 

Lodge they called ' Washington Lodge.' They had 
no sooner obtained a charter and organized the institu- 
tion, than prejudice and superstition started up on all 
sides, and proclaimed the most unblushing slanders 
against all secret societies, and that this poor Lodge of 
Odd-Fellows was the very nucleus of all immorality 
and infidelity. And it no doubt appears marvellous 
that this small band of brothers had the courage and 
firmness of purpose to sustain themselves under such 
trials and persecutions, and with so great a weight of 
public opinion pressing upon them. 

"But these persecutions were no doubt intended 
for wise and good purposes ; for, no sooner had the 
slanders of the day been circulated, than people were 
led to inquire into the objects of the Order, and who- 
ever learned its friendly precepts and benevolent pur- 
poses, solicited to become members in the cause of 
humanity, and, if found worthy, were received as broth- 
ers. These persecutions, no doubt, had a tendency 
also to chasten their conduct, and to actuate them to 
walk uprightly before God and man ; they being con- 
scious that, without the strictest moral conduct, the 
world would draw the inference, and perhaps with rea- 
son, that their purposes were evil rather than good: 
and the consequence was that ' Washington Lodge' 
soon had its scores of followers, and ultimately became 
the centre from which emanated the purest moral pre- 
cepts, cheering and dispensing their kindly influences 
in every direction ; and from this once feeble band 
were soon established in the city of Baltimore a num- 
ber of Lodges, composed of a portion of the most 
wealthy and most intelligent inhabitants of that city 
By this time the light of benevolence and brotherly 



35 



'ore had been kindled in ' Columbia Lodge,' and their 
joint influences had fanned it into a flame, extending 
far beyond the bounds of the states in which thesG 
Lodges were established, and one state succeeded after 
another, until there are now Lodges established in 
every state of the Union. 

" What a pleasing reflection, to behold such unpar- 
alleled success in so short a period of time ! What 
a mighty host we now number ! Contemplate the 
charities and blessings we are daily dispensing to the 
widow and the orphan ; how many thousands at this 
moment are receiving the benefits of Odd-Fellowship's 
open-handed charities, and praying for its continued 
success !" 

But, to proceed to the origin of Odd-Fellowship in 
the United States, and to a correct statement of the 
commencement of the Order here, we observe that 
Washington Lodge, No. 1, was instituted by the five 
persons assembled at Wildey's suggestion. It was 
organized at the house of William Lupton, sign of 
the " Seven Stars," Second street, Baltimore, on the 
twenty-sixth of April, 1819, by Thomas Wildey, John 
Welch, John Duncan, John Cheathem, and Richard 
Rushworth. The two first-named were elected N. G. 
and V. G. of the Lodge ; and it was at first intended 
that the new Lodge should " work" according to the 
usages of the Union, or London Order, and operate 
on the ancient method of self-institution, or indepen- 
dency of any " higher-law" power. " The archives," 
says P. G. Sire Kennedy, "do not furnish the exact 
period at which this design was abandoned ; but there 
is evidence that it was in the first month of the exist- 
ence of the Lodge. The work being thus changed to 



36 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

that of the ' Independent Order,' it became necessary 
to be possessed of a dispensation from competent au- 
thority, as required under that organization. As early 
as June, 1819, a series of efforts was commenced to 
that end, directed toward various points, as one after 
another indicated failure. The ' Abercrombie Grand 
Lodge, of Manchester' (the head of one of the divis- 
ions of the Order which were at that time in active 
contest for supremacy in Odd-Fellowship), which was 
merged into the ' Manchester Unity' in 1S26, respond- 
ed ; and on the seventh of January, 1S20, issued a 
dispensation — which, however, it is believed, never 
reached its destination." But through the instrumen- 
tality of P. G. John Crowder, who visited Baltimore 
from Preston, England, during the latter part of 1819? 
the Duke of York's Lodge, Preston, Manchester Unity, 
by virtue of powers indisputable, granted and forwarded 
the following dispensation : — 

"NO. WASHINGTON LODGE. 1. 
" Pluribus Unum. 

" The Grand Lodge of Maryland, and of the United States 
of America, of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellowship. 

" To all whom it may concern : This Warrant or Dispensa- 
tion is a free gift from the Duke of York's Lodge, of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd-Fellowship, holden at Preston, in the 
county of Lancaster, in Old England, to a number of Brothers 
residing in the cify of Baltimore, to establish a Lodge at the 
house of Brother Thomas Woodward, in South-Frederick street, 
in the said city: hailed by the title of 'No. 1, Washington 
Lodge, the Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the United Stares 
of America.' That the said Lodge, being the first established 
in the United States, hath power to grant a Warrant or Dis 
pen-nation to a number of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellow- 
ship into any State of the Union, for the encouragement and 
support oi Brothers of the said Order on travel or otherwise. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT -BOOK. fj7 

" And be it further observed, that the said Lodge be not 
removed from the house of Brother Thomas Woodward, so long 
as five Brothers are agreeable to hold the same. 

" In testimony hereof, we have subjoined our names, and 
affixed the seal of our Lodge, this the first day of February. 
one thousand eight hundred and twenty: — 

" James Mandsley, G. M. 

John Cottam, N. G. 

Geo. Nailor, V. G. 

John Eccles, Sec'y. 

John Crowder, P. G. 

Saml. Pemberton, P. G. 

John Walmslet, P. G. 

W. Topping, P. G. 

Geo. Ward, P. G. 

George Bell, P. G." 

This instrument was received on the twenty-third 
of October, 1820, and was formally accepted. It con- 
tinued to be the warrant of authority under which the 
Lodge worked, until, by a unanimous vote, it was sur- 
rendered into the hands of the Past Grands, and the 
Lodge received a dispensation from the Grand Lodge 
in its stead. " The success of the Order," says P. G. 
Sire Kennedy, " may with propriety be dated from 
this event, as concentrated and more enlightened ac- 
tion was the primary result." From that time (Feb- 
ruary 22, 1821) the Grand Lodge of the United States* 
has been the head of the Order in America. A dis- 
pensation, or charter, was granted to the Grand Lodge 
of the United States, May 15, 1S26, by the Grand 
Annual Movable Committee (the head of the Order in 
Great Britain), confirmatory of the dispensation granted 

* In 1821, and until the separate organization of the Grand 
Lodge of Maryland ((January 15, 1825), called " The Grand 
Lodge of Maryland and of the United States " 



38 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

by the Duke of York's Lodge, and authorizing the said 
Grand Lodge to conduct the business of Odd-Fellow- 
ship in America, without the interference of any other 
country. 

In consequence of important changes in the work 
of the Ord a x by the English brethren, made without 
the advice t»r consent of the Grand Lodge of the Uni- 
ted States, ani in defiance of its frequent remonstrance, 
a separation between the Order in Great Britain and 
America was decided upon by the Grand Lodge of the 
United States, at the session of that body in 1842. 
Previously, however, to this decision, the Grand Lodge 
had in vain exerted every effort to induce the Man- 
chester Unity of Odd-Fellows to restore the ancient 
language of the Order.* We are happy to say, how- 
ever, that, although the form used by these two bodies 
is slightly diverse, they are united in principle; and 
that the objects they have in view, and the good they 
accomplish, are the mainspring of their motive and 
action. 

In concluding this part of our subject — the History 
of Odd-Fellowship — we shall explain the "motive 
and action" of the Order, by exhibiting its practices 
and principles.! 

* For the history of this matter (which is too lengthy for this 
work), we refer the reader to the Journal of Proceedings of the 
Grand Lodge of the United States — a new edition of which has 
been latel}'' authorized — pages 389-433. 

+ We have borrowed on this subject a portion of an eloquent 
Address, by Rev. J. D. M'Cabk, delivered before Hawkins 
Lodge, No. 41, at Rogersville, Tennessee, July 4, 1849, at the 
"laying of the corner-stone of the Odd-Fellows' Female Insti- 
tute," of that place. 



39 



CHAPTER III. 

THE PRINCIPLES AND TENDENCY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP 

Odd-Fellowship is an institution formed by good 
men for the advancement of the principles of benevo- 
lence and truth. The foundation of the superstruc- 
ture is laid in the acknowledgment of universal frater- 
nity — that man is bound to sympathize with, to aid 
and protect his brother-man : upon this foundation is 
erected a system of practical benevolence, that sends 
its influence through all society; and that this may not 
degenerate into an indiscriminate system of alms-giving, 
which converts the earnings of honest industry into a 
reward for pauperism and idleness, it has* established 
certain checks and balances, by which its active good- 
ness is restrained within proper limits. Its first duty 
is to its own household, but its influence is felt beyond ; 
uniting good men in the practice of acknowledged du- 
ties, requiring no surrender of religious or political 
creed, leaving speculation for practice, it has gone 
forth among the homes of men like some missioned 
spirit of good, with its words of kindness, its deeds of 
comfort ; wherever it has moved, it was for the healing 
of disease, the alleviation of pain : the tear of sorrow 
has been wiped away, and the face of anguish illumined 
with a smile : " it has no marble altar, no wreathed 
statue, no offerings of incense ; but hearts of affection 
build up its shrine ; the widow and the orphan are its 



\ 



40 THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 

living monuments, and gratitude pours out for it a free 
libation." Uniting men under the influence of the so- 
cial principle, Odd-Fellowship demands the practice 
of benevolence and charity ; and in order to impress 
these duties upon the mind, and furnish incentives to 
action in those moments of relaxation to which all men 
are subject, it has instituted solemn ceremonies, or- 
dained frequent meetings, and formed a language of 
signs — all designed to produce a habit of benevolence, 
and, by educating the moral faculties, promote the 
well-being of society. The principles emblazoned 
upon our banners, and inscribed upon our altars, are 
Friendship, Love, and Truth, and it is the constant 
and unvarying inculcation of these principles that 
causes Odd-Fellowship to be strictly practical. We 
are associated to preserve no striking and beautiful 
traditions — to teach no original truth — to enunciate 
no occult mysteries. We receive with reverence the 
teachings of God's Holy Word, which tells us that we 
are the children of one common Father — brethren of 
one family — fellow-travellers through the same dark 
world of sin, alike needing the sympathy and support 
of our fellow-men ; that we are bound, as stewards of 
God, to use wisely the things which have been com- 
mitted to us in trust, for the advancement of the gen- 
eral good. It is true that the means of our Society do 
not enable us to relieve all the wants of all men, but 
they do enable us to mitigate the sufferings of many. 
The relief is, in the first place, justly restricted to the 
members of the Order and their families ; but, these 
demands answered, relief is extended to others as far 
as we possess the ability. The pecuniary contribu- 
tions of the members, which consist in small weekly 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 4J 

sums, constitute a fund for the exclusive purpose of 
relieving the sick, burying the dead, educating the 
orphan, and protecting and assisting the widow. In 
this respect our Order is a vast mutual-aid society, 
" differing from all others in the perfection of its or- 
ganization, the universality of its extent, and the mo- 
tives presented for action in high and benevolent 
teachings, which lead from specific and enforced du- 
ties to the voluntary performance of the noblest deeds 
of charity." While, therefore, our Order, in its or- 
ganization and development, is founded upon eternal 
principles, it only gives direction to known and admit- 
ted truth, and enforces the duties it teaches by disci- 
pline. It is formed for action, and he who will not 
work is not permitted to remain a drone in the busy 
hive. 

From this very general view, we may pass to a con- 
sideration of some of the specific benefits of the insti- 
tution secured to each and every member by the stipu- 
lations of covenant agreement: — 

1. If a member of the Order is unable to attend to 
his ordinary avocation, from sickness or providential 
disability, he is paid every week, during the continu- 
ance of such disability, a sum varying from three to 
ten dollars. He is visited by the officers and mem- 
bers of his Lodge, and proper attendants furnished to 
watch by his sick-bed and attend to his wants. 

2. In case of death, he is decently buried at the 
expense of the Order; his remains are followed to 
"the house appointed for all the living," and the dust 
is smoothed on his grave by the hand of sorrowing 
Friendship. 

3. The duties of Odd-Fellowship end not hero. 



£2 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

The chain of earthly fellowship may be broken, but 
some of its severed links remain, in the persons of the 
stricken widow and the helpless orphan : Odd-Fellow- 
ship repairs to the desolate home ; re-fills the cruse of 
oil, and replenishes the empty barrel ; over the night 
of desolate widowhood it watches with sympathizing 
care, and comforts the stricken-hearted mother with 
assurance that her fatherless children will be protected 
and educated. 

Pause for one moment to examine the strong argu- 
ment furnished in favor of our Order by this view of 
its character. The young man in business far from 
home — the man of family, who earns his bread by the 
sweat of his brow — can, when in health, easily spare 
four or five dollars annually, and thus secure such aid 
and attention during sickness as could be obtained by 
no other pecuniary expense. Especially does the man 
of family reap an advantage in a pecuniary point of 
view which no other investment of the same amount of 
funds could yield. The merchant, the man of busi- 
ness, visiting our northern or southern cities, may be 
taken sick : and who that has ever been sick, a stranger 
in one of the large hotels, knows not the neglect with 
which persons under such circumstances are treated? 
They may have abundant means to procure the atten- 
tion of hirelings, but they can not purchase kindness 
and sympathy. The possession of an Odd-Fellow's 
card will secure all this ; for its presentation to the 
Lodge is an assurance of. fraternal attention. These, 
we may say, are the common duties of humanity, ac- 
knowledged by all men, and needing no societies to 
enforce them. We grant that they are the duties of 
common humanity, but are they performed? 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 43 

"We have no idea of the amount of suffering endured 
by virtuous poverty, when the supplies procured by 
industry are cut off by sickness ; when the strong man 
is prostrated, and lies stricken and helpless, knowing 
that loved ones are in want ; when no friendly footstep 
crosses the threshold of the obscure home to which he 
has fled to conceal from a heartless world the bitterness 
of his poverty. Oh ! the agony of the hot tears that 
blister his fevered cheek as he nightly kisses the parched 
lips and looks upon the famine-pinched faces of his 
children, as they go supperless to their bed of straw! 
Who can tell the anguish of his heart, when the wife 
of his bosom bends over him, with her pale, earnest 
face, and, as she wipes the fever-drops from his brow, 
with the sublime energy of woman's endurance, whis- 
pers resignation, hope! Alas! what has he to hope 
fo r his loved ones, if God in his providence should 
call him away ? Nothing ! That wife will be a broken- 
hearted widow, struggling single-handed against pov- 
erty, exposed to the insults of a heartless w T orld ; those 
children will be reared in ignorance, it may be for a 
life of shame — a death of disgrace. But how different 
would be the condition of such a person, if, in the days 
of his health and strength, he had become a member 
of our noble Order ! A competency would have smiled 
around his hearthstone ; sympathizing friends would 
have watched around his sick-bed ; and he would 
close his eyes in death with the sweet assurance that 
his family was left in the care of brothers, whose con- 
stant duty it is to " protect the widow and educate the 
orphan." 

We could give numerous instances of the advan- 
tages secured to individuals who, when they entered 



44 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

the Or<k/, did not dream of ever needing its benefits. 
The advantages of this association are further seen in 
the fact that it brings together men of the most dis- 
cordant opinions, and unites them in the bonds of 
brotherly love — affording by its frequent meetings so- 
cial intercourse, free from the contaminating influence 
of vice. It promotes the morals of community, by re- 
straining its members from all intemperance and other 
illpgal practices, under penalty of expulsion, and the 
publication of their names in connection with the offence 
for which discipline is executed throughout the limits 
of the Order. It is calculated to make men social and 
humane, by bringing them frequently together to de- 
vise means and measures for the relief of their dis- 
tressed fellow-creatures ; thus breaking down the bar- 
riers erected by sect and party, and uniting men as 
citizens of one country, "the world" — members of 
one family, "the human race!" 

It is sometimes ur^ed that the institution comes in 
contact with the claims of the church, and creates con- 
flicting duties. The Order of Odd-Fellows is com- 
posed of Christians of every denomination ; they all 
acknowledge individually the authority of the church, 
and in the most perfect obedience they unite to do pre- 
cisely what the teachings of the church command to 
be done. Singly they could not effect as much good 
as when united. Precisely the same objection may 
with equal propriety be made against all voluntary as- 
sociations. The fact is, the church makes no specific 
provision, in any of its branches, for the performance 
of the duties in which Odd-Fellowship engages; it 
does not, in any one of the sects or denominations, 
make provision for their discharge. Where has it 



THE ODD-FELLOWS* TEXT-BOOK. 45 

made provision for the sick members of its commu- 
nion, furnishing watchers by their beds every night for 
months — supplying them with money to procure the 
necessaries and often the delicacies of life? What 
provision has it made for the support of the widow — 
the education of the orphan ? What provision has it 
made to take care of the sick stranger, and in death to 
give him decent burial? Where are these provisions? 
No such provision exists ; there is no systematic plan 
in the church enforced upon its members by discipline. 
All the conflict our Order can have with the church is 
to reprove its apathy. It may be made an instrument 
to prOvoke the church to activity, by showing what a 
mere human society can do, with " her usages of old" — 
her bonds of love, her deeds of self-denial, her require- 
ments of discipline — in those days when her children 
showed their faith by their works of mercy and love. 
Odd-Fellowship wields the old means; the church 
refuses to use them. And is this wrong? Shall all 
these deeds be left undone, because a kw will murmur 
at the expenditure, and sell the precious ointment to 
increase their own gains ? Is it right, is it proper, to 
feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to visit the sick ? 
is it right to bury the dead, protect the widow, and 
educate the orphan ? Who will say it is wrong to do 
these things ? What is Odd-Fellowship, but associated 
action in the performance of these duties? 

What has converted the howling wilderness into a 
home for talent and refinement, broken up the lair of 
the red man, and enthroned hospitality where all was 
w-ildness arid barbarism? W'hat has waked up the 
song of the laborer, the click of the artisan's hammer, 
the hum of the thrifty multitude, the creations of taste 



46 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

nnd refinement? Associated action! the same kind 
of power that, forty centuries ago, upheaved the giant 
pyramids that survive the ruins of desolation, as the 
hoary connection between the past and the present, 
" like monuments over unknown graves, heralding the 
glory, though their worn inscriptions tell not the names, 
of those who sleep at their base." From the active 
virtue and sweet charities of the domestic circle to the 
integrity and stability of the mightiest nation upon 
earth, this principle of associated action is seen at work. 
It is a principle of power and of might: direct it we 
may, destroy it we can not. Like steam, if confined 
in iron bonds, it will burst its fetters, and scatter 
death and destruction around ; and yet, like the well- 
broke horse, it may be harnessed and driven in safety. 
Men will associate. If their association be not turned 
to the melioration of human wo — to plans for the 
moral and social elevation of mankind — it will be 
seized upon by the factious and the discontented, the 
licentious and the vile, as a potent engine to overturn 
the social and religious institutions which now serve 
to check their excesses. Will men, under the influ- 
ence of the social principle, seek the bar-room — the 
gaming-house? Give them some other attractive place 
of assembly, where virtuous thoughts and moral habits 
will become chosen themes and preferred practices. 
Will they unite in secret clubs, to agitate treason, and 
seek to unsettle government and society with their vain 
discontents and Utopian schemes of social equality ? 
Unite them by the charm of secrecy, to perform works 
of mercy and benevolence. God has sanctioned this 
principle of association in the institution of his holy 
church Elevated above the discords of earth, unin- 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 47 

fluenced by the changeful policy of time, it is to con- 
stitute one vast association designed to concentrate the 
action of its myriad members into the effective unity 
of one catholic body. When this perfection is attained, 
minor associations will not be needed. 

Such is a brief view of the practice, and principles, 
and tendencies, of Odd-Fellowship. That there will 
be opposition, is to be expected ; for what that is lovely 
or of good report has ever escaped the sneer and the 
scowl of the gloomy Pharisee, who, while he tithes 
anise, mint, and cumin, neglects the weightier matters 
of the law, making it void through his traditions ? But 
our principles may be tried by their fruits ; and who 
can rise up and say these fruits are evil, or that asso- 
ciated ad ion, by which all the achievements of the 
age have been wrought, is wrong? Like "the still 
small voice" upon the ear of the prophet, when the 
wind, and the fire, and the earthquake, had passed. 
Odd-Fellowship, the noiseless spirit of benevolence 
and love, has trained its children to follow in the path 
of desolation and affliction, whispering peace, and bind- 
ing in the golden bonds of Friendship, Love, and 
Truth, the sheaves left standing in the fields over 
which Death and Sorrow, the great reapers, have 
passed. 

Look over the field of our appropriate labor for the 
evidence of these- works. See yon stricken widow, 
bowed down and sorrowful ; the hope of her heart is 
quenched. But there is a change : an arm of affec- 
tion is cast around her — a hand of love has wiped 
away her tears. That arm was our Order's arm ; that 
hand an Odd-Fellow's. See yon orphan, with no 
earthly parent to watch over him, no mother to caress 

4- 



48 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

and wipe away his burning tears, no shelter for his 
defenceless head. Look! an arm is cast around him, 
he is sheltered and cared for, his darkness is gone, his 
mind and his heart are cultivated, and his glistening 
eye tells of gratitude and love. The spirit of Odd- 
Fellowship has been there I 

The true Odd-Fellow ! he is out in the field, gather- 
ing the ready harvest; in the workshop, laying his 
strong hand to the anvil, the loom, and the forge ; in 
the counting-house, employed in the pursuits of pro- 
fessional labor. He is at home, fulfilling the duties of 
parent, husband ; gladdening the hearth and the board 
by the virtues of the social spirit. He is by the bed 
of sickness, wiping the moist brow and coolino- the 
parched lip ; he is in sorrowful places, ministering to 
poverty, comforting affliction, and relieving distress. 
He is upon the field of his country's fame and glory, 
where rank after rank goes down in the shock of bright 
blades, and before the volleying death-shot — with 
dauntless heart and eagle-eye battling for freedom ! 

Brethren, let us go on, unfurling the white bannei 
of our Order — giving it proudly to the breeze, till its 
triumphant folds intertwine, and become blended with 
the stars and stripes of the freeman's hope and home, 
till Oppression break his sceptre, Wai lie crushed 
on his harness ; " till man is bound in brotherhood to 
man — till tears are changed to smiles, and groans to 
benedictions !" 



THE ODD-FELLOWS"' TEXT-BOOK- 49 



THE ORGANIZATION OF ODD-FEL- 
LOWSHIP. 

The Order of Odd-Fellowship consists of two seve- 
ral branches, viz. : Lodges and Encampments. The 
Lodges comprise six, and the Encampments three De- 
grees. These, with the exception of Degrees obtained 
through official service, embrace the entire work of the 
Order, the Royal-Purple Degree, of the Encampment, 
being the highest and last. The cost of attaining 
these nine Degrees varies in different localities; but 
usually it does not exceed forty, and in some states it 
is less than twenty dollars. The qualifications re- 
quired are that the candidate must be a free white 
man, not under twenty-one years of age, of good moral 
character and sound health, and a believer in the Su- 
preme Being, the maker and ruler of the universe. 

All Lodges and Encampments are, directly or indi- 
rectly, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of 
the United States ; which body meets annually on the 
third Monday of September, and specially, if neces- 
sary, at the call of the Grand-Sire. It is the supreme 
head of the Order in the United States, and is the 
source of all true and legitimate authority in Odd-Fel- 
lowship therein. It consists of Representatives, elected 
from each local or State Grand Lodge and Grand 
Encampment ; one for any number of members under 
one thousand, within the jurisdiction of said local 
bodies, and an additional one for any number compri- 



50 THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 

sing and exceeding one thousand ; # and of Past Grand- 
Sires. f Its elective officers consist of a Grand-Sire, 
a Deputy Grand-Sire, a Recording and a Correspond- 
ing Secretary, and a Treasurer, who are elected bien- 
nially, by the Representatives. The appointed officers 
consist of a Marshal, a Chaplain, and a Guardian. It 

* The government of the Order in Great Britain is consti- 
tuted in the following manner: — The entire body of the Inde- 
pendent Order in the kingdom is known and distinguished by 
the title of " The Manchester Unity, of the Independent Order 
of Odd-Fellows," so called from its organization and concentra- 
tion of power in the city of Manchester : — " The Grand Annu- 
al Movable Committee," consisting of Representatives from 
districts in the ratio of one for every thousand members, is the 
sovereign depository of the power of the Order, not only in re- 
lation to the work, but also in reference to the entire detail of 
government, descending even to all the rules and regulations of 
subordinate Lodges, and leaving with them the isolated power 
of making By-Laws not inconsistent with the enactments of the 
Grand A. M. C. This body is constitutionally movable in its 
character and absolute in its powers. It assembles annually, 
on Whitsun-week, which is in England a period of universal 
holyday, at which time a Grand-Master and Board of Directors 
are elected ; all of whom must be residents of the city of Man- 
chester. This Board exercises during the recess a supervisory 
jurisdiction over all the affairs of the Order : it usually ex- 
pounds the laws ; responds to all applications for instruction or 
advice ; and heretofore was an integral part of a standing com- 
mittee for the determination of all questions of grievance subject 
to the final action of the Grand A. M. C. The propriety of a 
change of this government, we are informed, is under advisement 

f At the session held in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sept., 1850, the 
following amendment to the Constitution of the Grand Lodge 
of the United States was adopted : — " Past Grand-Sires shali 
be admitted to seats in this GrandLodge, with the power of 
debating, and making motions, but shall not have the privilege 
of voting, unless they be Representatives." 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 51 

transacts its business in secret ; but anv P. G. who 

shall have attained to the Royal-Purple Degree, and 
who is in " good standing," may, by its permission 
being first obtained, by vote, be admitted to its meet- 
ings. 

The State Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments 
are the heads of the Order in the localities where they 
are severally established. Five or more subordinate 
Lodges or Encampments — having been previously 
instituted by the Grand Lodge of the United States, 
and which are under its jurisdiction* — located in any 
State, District, or Territory, wherein reside seven Past 
Grands, or seven Past Chief-Patriarchs, in good stand- 
ing, may petition for and obtain from the Grand Lodge 
of the United States a Charter for a Grand Lodge, or 
for a Grand Encampment. These consist of Repre- 
sentatives from the Lodges or Encampments, which 
usually comprise all the Past Grands, or the Past 
Chief- Patriarchs — and sometimes the Past High- 
Priests — of the subordinates. Their chief officer is 
a Grand-Master, or a Grand-Patriarch, who is elected 
annually by the Past Grands, or by the Past Chief- 

* Upon the petition ot tive brothers of the Order, in good 
standing, praying for a Charter to open a subordinate Lodge, or 
of seven patriarchs for one to open a subordinate Encampment, 
in a State, District, or Territory, where a Grand Lodge or 
Grand Encampment has not been established, the Grand Lodge 
of the United States will grant the same. Such Lodge or En- 
campment will be organized by a Past Grand, or a Past Chief- 
Patriarch, by authority from the Grand-Sire. Such petition, 
accompanied by the Charter-fee (thirty dollars), must be for- 
warded to the Grand-Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the 
United States, at Baltimore, Md. The form of the petition is 
similar to that submitted to a State Grand Lodge. (See p. 55.) 



52 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

Patriarchs. The State Grand Lodges and Grand En- 
campments have power to grant and revoke Charters 
for subordinates in their several jurisdictions, and to 
make such laws as may appertain to the Order in their 
localities. No person, except a Past Grand, or a Past 
Chief-Patriarch, is permitted to visit the Grand Bodies. 
Past Grands are of the Grand Lodges ; Past Chief- 
Patriarchs and Past High-Priests of the Grand En- 
campments : these bodies are entirely separate and dis- 
tinct from each other. 

The subordinate Lodges consist of whal may be ap- 
propriately called "The People:" from these, in a 
true and legitimate sense, proceed Encampments, 
Grand Lodges, Grand Encampments, and, finally, the 
"supreme head of the Order." They comprise a va- 
riety of minds ; but we may confidently say, they are 
of one heart. The chief officer of a subordinate 
Lodge is called a Noble-Grand ; he is elected semi- 
annually ; he has the control of the members and 
business of the Lodge. Other officers are elected and 
appointed to support and assist him in his duties. We 
have previously stated what qualifications are neces- 
sary to entitle a gentleman to membership. The man- 
ner of introducing candidates is as follows : — A 
brother of the Lodge proposes his friend, whom he 
must be willing to recommend. On the reception of 
the proposition, a committee is at once appointed, 
whose business it is to ascertain the character, age, 
condition of health, and standing of the applicant. If 
this committee, after due investigation, report that 
they believe him worthy, he is "balloted for," and if 
two (or three) black balls (as the local law prescribes) 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 53 

appear against him, he is rejected ; if not, he is elected.* 
At the next meeting he may be initiated ; but should 
he fail to present himself for six meetings, his election 
is void, unless a satisfactory excuse is offered. Three 
months after initiation, he may apply for the first and 
second Degrees ; four weeks after receiving the second, 
he may apply for the third and fourth ; and four 
weeks after obtaining the fourth, he may apply for 
the fifth Degree. In every case the Lodge must be 
opened in the Degree applied for when the vote is 
taken. The Degrees may be conferred by the Lodge, 
or by a " Degree Lodge." 

The Encampments consist of brothers who belong 
to the Lodges, and who must have attained to the fifth, 
or Scarlet Degree. No person can be admitted to 
membership in an Encampment, unless he be a Scar- 
let-Degree member, in good standing. Encampments 
comprisk three Degrees, which are considered by 
many the sublimest of Odd-Fellowship. Their prin- 
cipal officers consist of a Chief-Patriarch and a High- 
Priest ; whose duties are to preside over, and perform 
the work of, the Encampment. No brother of the 
Order should be content with his advancement to the 
Scarlet, or final Degree of his Lodge ; he should pro- 
ceed through the Encampment to the last, or Royal- 
Purple Degree. Such elevation will entitle him to 
privileges and advantages of much value. f 

* The reader will observe a repetition of this on page 97. 
A full explanation of the introduction of members, and other 
matters connected with the government of a subordinate Lodge, 
will be found under the head, " The Subordinate Lodge," p. 55. 

+ We have given in the foregoing a mere outline of the va- 
rious branches of the Order. Elsewhere in this Book we fur- 
nish a full explanation of those several bodies under their ap- 
propriate titles. 



64 the odd-fellows' text-book. 



A WORD TO THE NEOPHYTE. 

It may be considered an important period of life 
in which a man enters a Lodge of Odd-Fellows. 
The duties there taught him, and the lessons incul- 
cated throughout the progress he may make in the 
Order, will tend, if he be true to his nature, to his 
moral and intellectual advancement, and consequently 
to his happiness. He should therefore prepare his 
mind for the task he has undertaken, and determine to 
be attentive to the instructions he is about to receive. 
He will find in these instructions the voice of Wis- 
dom and Truth ; and he will see that whoever shall 
heed and obey them must be respected by the wise 
and virtuous. They teach him his duty to his God, 
his country, his neighbor, his family, and himself; 
they show him how he may live in the enjoyment of a 
peaceful, contented mind — which is the highest wealth 
a mortal need desire ; they demonstrate to him that 
" vice is a monster of such frightful mien," that it 
should be shunned and hated ; they persuade him that 
there is in Fraternal Union and Love the truest, sub- 
limest pleasure ; they lead him to obedience of the 
commands of his Divine Maker, in which he can not 
fail to be blessed in life, death, and eternity. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 5d 

THE SUBORDINATE LODGE.* 

A Lodge must be constituted by at least five mem- 
bers, including one qualified to preside at its meetings ; 
the qualifications necessary being that such presiding 
officer must have been instructed in the five Degrees. 
The Vice-Grand, Secretary, Treasurer, and Guardian, 
shoula also have received the five Degrees. Any num- 
ber of brothers not less than five, holding clearance 
or withdrawal cards, from the Lodge or Lodges to 
which they were previously attached, may apply to 
the Grand Lodge of a State (or in case there is no 
Grand Lodge in the State, District, or Territory, in 
which they reside, to the Grand Lodge of the United 
States) for a Charter to open a Lodge, in the following 
words : — 

" The petition of the undersigned, holding withdrawal-cards 
from Lodges legally recognised by your Right Worthy Body, 
respectfully represents, that it would be consistent with the ad- 
vantage of the Order to establish a Lodge, to be located at 
blank. Wherefore, your petitioners pray, that a Charter (or 
Warrant) may duly issue in pursuance of the laws of your 
R. W. Body." 

This, accompanied by the Charter-fee (usually thirty 
dollars), must be sent to the Grand-Secretary, who 
will lay it before the Grand Lodge, which will author- 
ize a Charter in the following form : — 

* As subordinate Lodges receive their Constitution from theii 
respective Grand Lodges, there can be no strictly uniform "form" 
in minor details. The article is in conformity to the principles of 
all. The number required to obtain a Charter varies in different 
localities in the same States, as well as in the different States, 
consequently there is no uniform law on this and on other minor 
matters. 



50 THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 



• 



INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS. 

" To all whom it mat concern: — The Grand Lodge of 

the State of blank, by authority of a Grand Charter, granted 
to them from the Grand Lodge of the United States, held in 
the City of Baltimore, State of Maryland, doth hereby grant 
this Warrant or Dispensation, to a number of brothers of the 
Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, residing in the State of 
nlank, to establish a Lodge at the city of blank, to be hailed by 
the title of blank, for the encouragement and support of brothers 
of the said Order, when on travel or otherwise. And the said 
Lodge, being duly formed, is hereby authorized and empow- 
ered to initiate into the mysteries of the said Order any person 
or persons duly proposed and approved, according to the laws 
of Odd-Fellowship, and to administer to true brothers all the 
privileges and benefits arising therefrom ; and to enact By- 
Laws for the government, of their Lodge : Provided always, 
that said Lodge do act according to the Order, and in conjunc- 
tion with, and obedience to, the Grand Lodge, adhering to and 
supporting the articles and charges delivered with this Dispen- 
sation; in default whereof, this Warrant or Dispensation may 
be suspended, or taken away, at the decision of the Grand 
Lodge. 

" And Further, the Grand Lodge (in consideration of the 
due performance of the above) do bind themselves to repair all 
damages or destruction of the Dispensation, or charges, whether 
bv fire or other accident : Provided sufficient proof be given that 
there is no illegal concealment or wilful destruction of the same. 
And the Grand Lodge will support this said Lodge in the 
exercise of their duty, and in the privileges and honors of the 
Order. 

" In witness whereof, we have displayed the colors of our Or- 
der, and subscribed our names, and affixed the seal of 
[l. s.] the Grand Lodge of blank, this day of 

one thousand eight hundred and 

(Signed by the Grand-Master and all officers of the Grand 
Lodge, together with the names of such past officers 
of Lodges as may choose to sign.) 



57 

This document will be forwarded to the brothers 
applying for the Charter, and the Lodge will be or- 
ganized by the Grand- Master or his Deputy, or a 
brother authorized by the Grand Lodge to perform 
such duty. 

The first business of a Lodge is, of course, to 
increase its membership. We have elsewhere, in this 
work, expressed our opinion in reference to the cau- 
tion which should guide Odd-Fellows in introducing 
individuals for membership. We are aware that it is 
extremely de-sirable to every Lodge, especially in its 
commencement, to enlarge its numbers; but we are 
sure that a Lodge never loses by exercising the utmost 
surveillance over its good name. One improper per- 
son admitted will often restrain a dozen worthy men. 

The name of a person desiring membership must 
be proposed by a member in writing, stating the age, 
residence, and business of the candidate ; which must 
be referred to three of the brothers for investigation, 
who must report at the succeeding regular meeting, 
when the candidate may be balloted for with ball-bal- 
lots; and if not more than two black balls appear 
against him, he will be elected ; but if three or more 
appear, he must be rejected, and so declared.* A 
brother of the Order wishing to become a member 
of a Lodge must present his card from the Lodge 
of which he was formerly a member, which will be 
referred to a committee of three ; and he must be bal- 
loted for, and elected or rejected, in the manner above 
stated. An Ancient Odd-Fellow, f whose card is out 

* In Pennsylvania and one or two other States, two black balls 
are sufficient to reject. 

•j- An "Ancient Odd-Fellow" is a person who, having been 
regularly initiated into a legal Lodge of the Independent Order 



58 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

of date, or which may have been lost, can be admitted 
by referring his application to a committee, and dis- 
posing of it in other respects as explained above; 
or he may be admitted on a Dismissal Certificate, for 
which see page 219. 

When a candidate is rejected, notice must be sent 
to the Grand Secretary of the jurisdiction ; where 
there is no Grand Lodge, to the adjoining Lodges in 
the district. No rejected person can be proposed in 
any Lodge under six months from the time of re- 
jection. 

Any brother who is in good standing in his Lodge 
— that is, who is not in arrears, and against whom 
there is no charge " for conduct unbecoming an Odd- 
Fellow" — is entitled to receive from his Lodge, in 
case he should be sick or disabled, a sum of money 
weekly. The amount varies in extent — some of 
the Lodges giving twenty dollars per week, and others 
four or five. The usual allowance, however, is five 
dollars per week. Those Lodges which give large 
benefits charge large initiation-fees and dues. Every 
worthy brother has a positive right to his weekly al- 
lowance. Neither is its payment to him a matter of 
charity. It belongs to him as really and unqualifiedly 
as would insurance-money, due from the insurer of 
property against loss by fire. It can not be too strongly 
impressed upon the minds of Odd-Fellows, that there 
is no humiliation in receiving the Lodge benefits. 

In case of the death of a worthy brother, there is 

of Odd -Fellows, has honorably withdrawn, by card, from the 
Lodge of which he was last a member; and, retaining his card, 
the same is out of date, bv reason of more than twelve months 
having transpired since it was granted ; or, having lost his card, 
good and satisfactory evidence is presented of his honorable with- 
drawal from the Lodge in which he was last in membership. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 59 

allowed, usually, a sum not less than thirty dol- 
lars, to defray the expenses of burial, which is to be 
paid over, without delay, to the deceased brother's 
nearest of kin. The N. G., in the absence of compe- 
tent relations, takes charge of the funeral, and receives 
account of the disbursements. On the demise of the 
wife of a worthy brother, a sum not less than fifteen 
dollars is allowed, for the purpose of assisting in the 
funeral expenses. 

Any brother who may offend against the laws of the 
land, or violate any of the principles of the Order, 
should be promptly expelled from his Lodge. And 
all persons in arrears beyond the time specified in the 
By-Laws for payment of dues, should be as promptly 
suspended. The success and usefulness of a Lodge 
depend much upon the integrity and character of its 
members, and upon the faithful payment of its dues ; 
and it can not be too circumspect in watching over the 
one, and enforcing a rigid observance of the other. 
Yet every man should have a fair trial for an offence 
involving either expulsion, suspension,* or reprimand ; 
neither should a man be suspended for non-payment 
until every warning and facility shall have been given 
him, to induce or aid him in liquidating the claims 
against him. 

* For offences against the laws, after due trial, brothers may, 
be suspended for a definite period, to be fixed by the Lodge. The 
time must not be of unreasonable length, not exceeding eighteen 
months. When a brother has been expelled, he may be reinstated 
by consent of the Grand Lodge, on application from his subordi- 
nate Lodge. A penalty imposed by a Lodge affects the member's 
standing in his Encampment to the same extent as in the Lodge ; 
but a penalty by the Encampment does not reach the brother's 
standing in his Lodge. Restoration to membership in the Lodge 
restores membership in the Encampment also. 



60 THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 

No member of a Lodge can be put on trial, unless 
charges duly specifying his offence be submitted to the 
Lodge in writing by a brother of the Order, except 
when made liable by non-payment of dues, in which 
case he is usually suspended by the action of the By- 
Laws of his Lodge. When the charge or charges, 
with distinct specifications, have been preferred against 
a brother, he must be officially informed of the same, 
and at the next meeting a committee of five brothers 
shall be appointed, as the By-Laws direct, who shall, 
as soon as practicable, notify the accused and the 
accuser of the time and place of meeting for the pur- 
pose of hearing the parties, their proofs and witnesses. 
They shall keep a correct and full record of the testi- 
mony of each witness, which, after being read to him, 
he should subscribe. After all the evidence for the 
prosecution shall have been heard, reasonable time 
shall be given the defendant to produce his witnesses, 
and, when through, other evidence from either party 
shall be received, until all desired is admitted. When 
the parties have been heard, should they desire to 
address the committee, they must retire, to give the 
committee an opportunity to make a decision. The 
committee shall submit a written report to the Lodge, 
with all the testimony they have taken. The report 
shall be read, and the evidence, if called for ; but 
should the reading of the evidence be called for, the 
whole must be read. The committee may or may not 
recommend the measure of punishment, should they 
report the accused guilty. After the accused has had 
an opportunity of being heard before the Lodge, he 
must retire, and a vote by ballot taken on the adop- 
tion of the report: a white ball in the affirmative, a 
black ball in the negative. Should the majority of 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 61 

the balls be ivliite, the report is adopted; if blacJc, it 
is rejected. A motion shall then be made as to the 
punishment, the vote to be taken by ballot : if the 
motion is suspension, or fine, or reprimand, a majority 
shall decide ; if expulsion, two-thirds of the votes 
polled are required. Should a motion to expel be 
lost, a motion for any other punishment is in order. 

Should the member tried feel aggrieved by the 
decision of his Lodge, he may appeal to the Grand 
Lodge of his jurisdiction, according to the provision 
of the laws thereof, whose decision is final, unless a 
rehearing is granted by the Grand Lodge, or an ap- 
peal permitted by it to the Grand Lodge of the United 
States. Should the accused be acquitted by his Lodge, 
its decision is final : the accuser has no appeal from 
its decision. When a member has been suspended for 
a definite time, his dues accrue the same as if he were 
in good standing, and at the expiration of the time 
named he resumes his rights in the Lodge without any 
formality or action of the Lodge. 

The members of a Lodge should ever regard the 
feelings of each other. They should treat each other 
with due delicacy and respect; and all ungenerous 
remarks, personal allusions, or sarcastic language, by 
which the feelings of any brother may be wounded, 
and the most prominent of our objects (Friendship, 
Charity, and Harmony) be interrupted or defeated, 
should be carefully avoided. All the discussions 
should be conducted in that spirit of candor, modera- 
tion, and open generosity, which leads men to the altar 
of concord and good-fellowship ; and the presiding 
officer of a Lodge should have the aid of every brother 
in his endeavor to repress anything to the contrary. 



62 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

It is right and proper, and to be expected, that breth- 
ren will differ in regard to various matters which may 
be brought before the Lodge ; but surely there is no 
good reason why an honest difference of opinion should 
'ead to angry contention and animosity. 

The following rules of order for the government of 
a Lodge are such as should be adopted by all well- 
regulated Lodges of Odd-Fellows ; and we can not do 
better, in concluding this branch of our subject, than 
to present them, for the instruction and the study of 
the readers of this work : — 

1. As soon as the N. G. takes the chair, and calls the Lodge 
to order at the sound of the gavil, the officers shall explain their 
respective duties. 

2. Calling the roll of officers, and reading the last minutes. 

3. Report of the Committee of Relief, Sickness, and Distress. 

4. Consideration of previous proposals for membership. 

5. Initiation of new members. 

6. Reception of new proposals for membership. 

7. Unfinished business appearing on the minutes. 

8. Has any brother anything to offer for the good of this 
Order? 

9. No question shall be stated unless moved and seconded, 
nor be open for consideration until stated by the N. G. ; 
and when a question is before the Lodge, no motion shall be 
received, unless to lay on the table, the previous question, to 
postpone, to refer, or to amend ; and shall have precedence in 
the order in which they are arranged, the first two of which 
shall be decided without debate. 

10. Any member may call for a division of a question when 
the sense will admit of it. 

11. Any five members calling for the yeas and nays, they 
ehall be ordered by the N. G., and recorded on the minutes. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 68 

12. After any question has been decided, except one for 
indefinite postponement, any two members who voted in the 
majority, may, at the same time, or next regular meeting, move 
for a reconsideration thereof, but no discussion of the main ques- 
tion shall be allowed unless reconsidered. 

13. All questions, unless otherwise fixed by law, shall be de- 
termined by a majority of votes. 

14. Every member of the Lodge shall have the privilege of 
speaking twice on any question under consideration, but not 
more, unless by the permission of the N. G. 

15. When a brother intends to speak on a question, he shall 
rise in his place and respectfully address his remarks to the 
N. G., confine himself to the question, and avoid personality. 
Should more than one brother rise to speak at the same time, 
the N. G. shall determine who is entitled to the floor. 

16. The X. G. or any member may call a brother to order 
while speaking, when the debate must be suspended, and the 
brother take his seat, until the point of order be determined. 
Should the N. G. confirm the call, any brother may appeal to 
the Lodge, which appeal must be decided without debate, and 
the objectionable words shall, if required, be put in writing. 

17. No brother shall retire without leave of the N. G. ; and 
no brother shall retire or be admitted during the ceremony of 
initiation. 

18. No member shall be permitted to speak or vote on any 
question before the Lodge, unless clothed in suitable regalia. 

19. No motion can be made by one member while another is 
speaking, and no motion can be made -without rising and addres- 
sing the chair. 

20. No resolution shall be offered to the Lodge, except in 
writing.* 

* Each State Grand Lodge and Grand Encampment furnishes to 
its Subordinates a Constitution and Rules of Order, neither of 
which can be altered or amended by Subordinates. As a form, the 
above is useful, but cannot be substituted for that furnished by 
authority. 



64 THE odd-fellows' text-book 

THE OFFICERS OF A LODGE. 

The elected officers proper of a Lodge are, Noble- 
Grand, Vice-Grand, Secretary, Permanent Secretary, 
Recording Secretary, or, as in some jurisdictions (and 
which we think the best), Secretary, Assistant Secre- 
tary, and Treasurer. The N. G., V. G., and Assistant 
Secretary are elected for six months, and during their 
term of office are generally the "visiting committee," 
who visit the sick, report weekly on their condition, 
and receive from the Treasurer and pay the sick 
brother his weekly benefits. The Permanent Secre- 
tary [Secretary) and Treasurer are usually elected for 
one year. In nearly every Lodge there are elected 
annually three members who have superintendence of 
the funds, and three or more who have the care of 
widows and orphans of members deceased. 

THE NOBLE-GRAND. 

The elevation of a brother to the highest position 
in a Lodge, is a distinction of which he may reasona- 
bly be proud. It confers upon him a dignity, and enti- 
tles him to present and prospective privileges, which, 
as an Odd-Fellow, he may justly regard of inestimable 
value. He should, therefore, having such an appre- 
ciation of the honor conferred upon him, endeavor, 
by his faithfulness to the Lodge, in both his official 
and unofficial capacity, to evince his sense of grate- 
fulness for such honor. 

Much of the peace, harmony, and prosperity of the 
Lodge will, of course, depend upon him ; it is there- 
fore necessary that he should deeply impress on hi* 
mind the important duties of his station. In the pn 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 65 

formance of those duties he should be strictly honest 
and correct, and should by no means permit his feel- 
ings — his " likes or dislikes" — to interfere with the 
justice of his government or the integrity of his decis- 
ions. He should act without fear or partiality ; be 
zealous, yet temper his zeal with prudence ; and al- 
ways, even in the most trying circumstances, maintain 
a tranquil temper, a generous disposition, and an un- 
sullied veracity. If he acquire for himself a reputation 
for the most unbending integrity and firmness, his de- 
cisions and instructions will not only be received with 
respect, but attentively observed. By the laws of the 
Order he is required to support and maintain the rules 
and regulations of those bodies to which his Lodge is 
subordinate, and to enforce a strict adherence to the 
laws of his own Lodge ; he is instructed to enforce 
those laws, and to preserve, during all times, in his 
Lodge, the strictest order and decorum : he is expected 
to judge of every transaction that may come before 
him, while presiding over the deliberations of the 
Lodge, impartially and without prejudice. 

The N. G., being the head and director of the 
Lodge, is the legal custodian of its Charter, books of 
charges, and lectures, which he is required to preserve 
carefully during his term of office, and to see that they 
shall be delivered to his successor. He is also required 
to see that all officers of the Lodge and members of 
committees perform their respective duties, as enjoined 
by the laws of the Order. He must appoint commit- 
tees ; give the casting vote on every question where 
there is a tie ; inspect and announce the result of all 
ballotings or other votes of the Lodge ; convene spe- 
cial meetings of the Lodge when deemed expedient ; 
draw upon the Treasurer for all sums that have been 



66 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

voted by the Lodge, or that may be necessary to pay 
the benefits provided for by the By-Laws ; cause the 
names, age, and residence, of the widows and children 
of deceased brothers to be registered in a book to be 
kept for that purpose, and watch over their interests 
with paternal care, provided that such widows and 
children are of a reputable moral character. 

It is not proper for the N. G. to make or second 
any motion or resolution, nor to take part in any de- 
bate, while in the chair. Neither does it appear well 
for him to leave the Lodge in charge of a brother, for 
the purpose of taking part in a debate. He has the 
right to advise and to speak generally, from his place, 
on any subject of a general nature for the good of the 
Order ; but he should not enter into the arena of de- 
bate, and make himself a party in any question before 
the Lodge. 

In the selection of his subordinate officers, the 
N. G. should be circumspect and discreet. He should 
endeavor to judge, from an observation of the intelli- 
gence of the brothers of his Lodge, which of them are 
best qualified to fill, with credit to the Lodge and them- 
selves, the various duties expected of them. Espe- 
cially should the Conductor and Warden of a Lodge 
be men of capacity and intelligence — men w T ho are 
competent to give the charges peculiar to their office 
in a dignified and impressive manner. 

The N. G. should by all means be attentive to the 
sick or distressed members of his Lodge. He should 
be the first to call on his brother in trouble or adver- 
sity, and sympathize with and aid him by his coun- 
sel or advice. Nor should he consider that this duty 
is not required of him, but only of the committee 
appointed for this purpose. Such is an erroneous 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 67 

impression, which ought to be at all times corrected, 
wherever it prevails. It is as much consistent with 
the duty and obligations of the head of a Lodge to 
visit weekly his sick or disabled brothers, as it is for 
him to be present each week at the opening of his 
Lodge. And such sick or distressed brothers may 
properly feel aggrieved, if neglected by him to whom, 
as an Odd-Fellow, they naturally look for sympathy 
and condolence in their time of trouble. 



THE VICE-GRAND. 

The Vice-Grand, who is second in authority in the 
Lodge, and who, if he conduct himself with propri- 
ety, is always sure to succeed to the highest place in 
the gift of his brethren, should regard the situation he 
occupies as one in which he has abundant facility to 
make himself acquainted with the duties and require- 
ments of the office he will, in a short time, be called 
upon to fill. During the term of his occupancy of 
the " lower chair," 'therefore, he should make it a 
part of his business to acquire a correct understanding 
of the laws he will be expected to enforce, and to 
study the dispositions and qualities of those he will be 
called upon to govern. By so doing, he will be pre- 
pared to perform, with credit to himself and advan- 
tage to the Lodge, the duties we have, in the prece- 
ding pages, described as those appertaining to the 
office of a Noble-Grand. 

It is expected of the Vice-Grand, while in the dis- 
charge of his office as such, that he will assist the 
N. G. in the execution of his duties, and use his 
utmost efforts to promote the harmonv and welfare of 



68 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

the Lodge, and to increase love among his brethren ; 
and that he will check or restrain every improper sen- 
timent that may be uttered by any brother, in or out 
of the Lodge. He must also carefully attend to the 
support of order in the Lodge : and it is his duty and 
his privilege to advise with the N. G. and to remind 
him of any omission of anything appertaining to his 
office and duty. At all times, when the N. G. is ab- 
sent, the V. G. takes his place and assumes his duties, 
and is, for the time being, the head of the Lodge, 
with all the authority of a principal officer. It is 
also his duty to appoint his own assistants (two in 
number) and a minority of Committees ; to assist in 
examining the ballotings for members ; and to take 
especial charge of the ingress and egress of brothers 
to or from the Lodge. 

The V. G. also should make it his business to 
visit weekly his sick or afflicted brothers. He should 
not esteem this duty so lightly as to suppose that it 
attaches merely to the Visiting Committee and to his 
superior officer ; but, as he is second in his Lodge, 
and must soon be first, he must remember, not only 
that much is expected of him in his present position, 
but that a visit from him, and a few words of encour- 
agement, to a brother in pain, will lighten that brother's 
burden, at the same time that they raise him in the 
estimation of all, who appreciate such conduct in those 
on whom honors and authority have been conferred 
by the brethren. 



THE SECRETARY. 

The office of Secretary has been esteemed, by some, 
to be the most arduous and responsible situation in a 



THE ODD-FELLOWS ? TEXT-BOOK. 69 

Lodi^e. We would not wish to say that we agr°e 
with this opinion, nor would we underrate the useful- 
ness and labor of a Secretary; but we are of opinion 
that every office, while it requires abilities suited to 
its nature, is more or less arduous, if it be faithfully 
tilled. Yet the Secretary's is a most important post, 
and one which requires a capacity which compara- 
tively few men possess. A correct record of the pro- 
ceedings of all public bodies is most desirable. The 
Secretary of a Lodge should be quick of comprehen- 
sion, and possess the quality of writing, or in some 
way placing ideas promptly in his memory, so rapidly 
as to obtain an accurate record of every subject sug- 
gested or acted upon. For, frequently, matters of the 
greatest importance must be decided by a reference 
to his minutes of the proceedings. 

It is the duty of the Secretary to keep a correct and 
impartial record of all the proceedings of a Lodge; to 
fill up summonses ; to write all letters and communi- 
cations that may be ordered by the Lodge or the N. G. ; 
to fill up certificates and cards ; to keep securely the 
seal and books ; to attest to all moneys ordered to be 
paid ; to furnish to the Grand Lodge (at the end of 
the term) a correct account of the condition of the 
Lodge ; and to answer, by direction of the Lodge, all 
communications that may be addressed to it.* 

* He usually receives pecuniary consideration for his services. 
Ordinarily, he is elected for one year. It is his duty to keep just 
and true accounts between the Lodge and its members ; to collect 
all dues, fines, and assessments, as soon as imposed, and report to 
the Lodge any brother neglecting to pay the same when duly noti- 
fied ; to enter the charges as they become clue, and credit the 
amounts as paid ; and to pay them to the Treasurer immediately, 
taking his receipt. He must, at the close of each term, notify 



70 

The Secretary of a Lodge should endeavor to exer- 
cise toward his brethren, who may apply to him for 
information relative to matters in his charge, the utmost 
courtesy and forbearance. He should be willing to 
take some trouble to enlighten them on all subjects 
connected with his business, into which they have the 
right to inquire ; and in no case should he allow him- 
self to be offended at what he may consider unneces- 
sary inquiry. There can be no secret rightfully kept 
from a brother of the Lodge. He has the right to de- 
mand information relative to everything that is done 
therein, whether it be in his presence or absence ; and 
as the Secretary is the servant of the Lodge, he must 
expect to be called upon for information concerning 
its transactions. 



THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 

The first step towards the Noble-Grand's Chair, in 
several States, is to be elected Assistant Secretary ; 
and in this direction the aspirations of the working 
members are directed. When secure in this office, it 
rarely happens that the brother's progress to advance- 
ment in the Order is arrested until he is crowned with 
the highest honors of his Lodge. When it is other- 

every member who is thirteen weeks in arrears, of the amount due 
by him to the Lodge. At the end of each quarter, he must render 
to the Lodge an account of the state of his books. He must keep 
his accounts regularly posted, and be ready at all times to render 
statements of the arrears of the brethren, so that their rights bo 
not abused. No person, however, is at liberty to interfere with 
his books, except the N. G. of his Lodge, or the Grand-Master or 
his Deputy. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 71 

wise, the fault is that of the brother himself, either 
from neglect of duty in his office, or from conduct 
unbecoming the Order, unfitting him for the responsi- 
ble and exalted position to which this office leads. 

It is the duty of the Assistant Secretary to assist 
the Secretary during the meetings of the Lodge, and 
in the absence of the Secretary to perform all the 
duties he has obligated himself to do ; to visit the 
sick during the week, and faithfully to co-operate 
with the N. G. and V. G. in this important duty ; to 
be attentive to the details of Lodge business, so that 
he may be prepared to discharge with promptness 
and dignity the important duties that lie before him 
in the various positions to which he may be called. 



THE TREASURER. 

The Treasurer of a Lodge occupies a responsible 
and important office, which should be always confided 
to a brother known to possess correct business habits 
and the strictest honesty. He should not only keep 
a rigidly correct account of his receipts and expendi- 
tures, but be always in possession in the Lodge of 
ample funds for the payment of benefits voted to the 
sick and distressed brothers, and for all other pur- 
poses. 

It is the duty of the Treasurer to receive at each 
meeting whatever funds may be paid into the hands of 
the Secretary (through which all moneys must pass), 
and be so correct, careful, and honest, as to give the 
Lodge the most complete confidence that it is secure 



72 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

from any pecuniary loss. He should be ready, when- 
ever called upon, to inform the Lodge of its pecuniary 
condition, and be prepared to surrender, at any mo- 
ment, his trust with honor, in case he should be desired 
to do so. It has been well and truly said, for the con- 
sideration and reflection of the Treasurer, that " on the 
proper management of the fiscal concerns of a Lodge 
mainly depends its ability to render assistance where 
it is needed, and at the time it may be required." 

No Lodge should omit, prior to his installation, to 
require of the Treasurer security conditioned for the 
faithful discharge of the duties of his office, no matter 
how ample his means apparently may be. If it is 
not required of a brother reputed rich, it might seem 
invidious to ask it of one who is esteemed less wealthy. 
It should, therefore, never be dispensed with. The 
security should be bona fide, so that no member may 
be under the unpleasant necessity of objecting at the 
installation. No motive of delicacy should suffer the 
funds of the Lodge to be in unsafe keeping. Many 
Lodges have been nearly ruined by this false delicacy. 

When a Lodge has a safe, attentive, and faithful 
Treasurer, it should continue to elect him so long as 
he can be prevailed upon to retain the office. 



THE CONDUCTOR. 

The office of Conductor is a most important one — 
one which few men, comparatively, are qualified to fill. 
The Conductor should be a competent reader, and 
understand something also of elocution. His duty is 
a peculiar one ; in fact, on the impressions he may 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 73 

make often depend the subsequent conduct and use- 
fulness of the Odd-Fellow. 

THE WARDEN.* 

The Warden, also, should be competent to read 
well, and to make a proper impression on the neophyte. 
It is his duty, likewise, to see that the regalia for the 
use of the members, at the opening of the Lodge, is 
properly provided, and to collect and preserve it in a 
careful manner at the close. He must canvass all 
votes on motions and resolutions, and act as messen- 
ger of the Lodge (during its sittings only) when desired 
to do so. He must also see that no improper person 
is in the Lodge at its opening. 



THE GUARDIANS. 

No office can be of more importance than that of 
Guardian. On the Guardian much depends. If he 
neglect or refuse to perform his duty, the Lodge might 
soon become a scene of confusion. It rests with him 
almost entirely whether an improper person shall enter 
the ante-chambers of the Lodge. He should therefore 
be wary, and promptly require every person whom he 
might suspect, to give a good account of himself, or 
report him to the proper officer. He should be a man 
of nerve, too — one who would not for a moment hesi- 
tate to eject forcibly, if requisite, any person who might 
presume to deceive or intrude upon the Lodge. 

* In many jurisdictions there are two Wardens, designated as 
Senior and Junior. It gives uniformity to the room, and secures, 
in the absence of the Warden, one who understands the duty, 
He also assists the Warden. 



74 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

THE SUPPORTERS. 

These officers are more useful and necessary to a 
Lodge than man}' are apt to suppose. They have 
duties to perform, which, in more than one sense, are 
important. Among these, not the least is that which 
requires them to remind the presiding officers of any 
omissions which they may make in the prosecution of 
their business. They should ever remember that the 
eyes of the brethren are upon them, and that on the 
faithful and correct performance of their duties depend 
in a great measure their prospect of future preferment, 
and final elevation to more responsible positions. 



THE CHAPLAIN. 

It is optional with a Lodge whether to appoint a 
Chaplain or not. His duty is to open and close the 
meetings with prayer (using none other than the pre- 
scribed form), to attend at funerals of deceased broth- 
ers, and to officiate on all public occasions where the 
Lodge may require his attendance. It is scarcely ne- 
cessary to add that the Chaplain should be, if not a 
religious, at least a moral man. 



THE JUNIOR PAST-GRAND. 

Although the Junior P. G. is not, properly speak- 
ing, an officer of the Lodge, he holds a dignified and 
honorable position. He is looked upon as a sort of 
father — as a person of experience, whose opinion is 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 75 

of much weight — and he should always be ready and 
competent to give correct counsel. The Lodge looks 
to him, as well as to the other Past-Grands, for exam- 
ple. He and they should therefore be regular attend- 
ants ; they should manifest a concern for the welfare 
of the Lodge and the members, and evince by their 
conduct that they have not lost their interest in the Or- 
der since they had received the highest honor their 
Lodge could bestow upon them. 



THE GAVEL. 

Every member of the Order is so familiar with the 
use of this instrument, as our emblem of authority, 
that it is scarcely necessary to advert to it in this Man- 
ual. We will merely say, however, that our familiarity 
with it as Odd-Fellows must not produce in our minds 
a forgetfulness of its suggestions. We must obey the 
authority it represents promptly and cheerfully ; thus 
shall order ever reign in our Lodge. 



THE COMMITTEES. 

1. The Relief Committee. — This is the most im- 
portant committee of the Lodge. It generally con- 
sists of the N. G., Y. G., and (Assistant) Secretary ; 
but, where Lodges are large, other members act with 
them, by election or appointment. In choosing an 
Assistant Secretary, it should be remembered that he 
is likely to be a member of the committee for eighteen 
months, and the character of the Lodge in a measure 
depends on the discharge of his duty thereon. This 



76 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

committee (or a member of it) should deem it their 
solemn duty to visit a sick brother immediately on 
learning the fact of his illness. And they should, 
in their turn, each visit such brother once at least 
during the week, and report such visits to the Lodge 
at its meeting. We can not too strongly express the 
"solemn obligation" of this committee. How unlike 
the true spirit of Odd-Fellowship — what a mockery 
of what we as Odd-Fellows profess— is the neglect of 
a man, specially appointed for the purpose of carry- 
ing out one of the commands of our Order, to aid 
and comfort his sick brother ! We are all subject 
to sickness ; every one of us, in his turn, may some 
day need the presence and assistance of a member 
of our fraternity. Oh ! if we refuse our assistance 
now to those who need it — and that even after we 
have specially promised it by accepting a certain posi- 
tion in our Lodge — what can we say if, when our 
time shall come, we shall suffer by a similar neglect? 

The duties of this Committee of Relief do not mere- 
ly consist in visiting and conversing with a sick brother : 
not merely in saying, "How do you feel to-day?" or, 
" I hope you will soon be better." No ! they extend 
beyond this. They teach us to speak cheerfully to 
him — to encourage him — to lead his thoughts away 
from the natural anxieties of a sick man. They teach 
us to approach him with a warm heart and a pleasant 
smile ; and they also remind us that it is our privilege 
to carry to him any little article of fruit, or other dainty, 
which might be pleasant to his taste, or conduce to his 
comfort.* 

* I can not resist the impulse to speak here of a matter per- 
sonal to myself; for it illustrates so beautifully the true spirit 
of Odd-Feilowship. In 1844, while a member of old Jefferson 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOvjK. 77 

There are other duties of this committee, which our 
space will not permit us to enumerate and enforce. 
But there is one other that we will mention as of the 
utmost importance. It is this : Should a brother die, 
and leave a family necessitous, they should not only 
report such fact to the Lodge, but should see that the 
proper committee use every diligence to relieve their 
necessities, and guard the orphans from exposure to 
the vices that surround them. 

Lodge, No. 46, New York, I was so unfortunate as to receive 
a dangerous injury bv a " runaway" horse, which confined me 
to my room for several months. As I had previously led a very 
active life, it may be reasonably supposed that confmemenc was 
torture to me. Bur during my illness a brother of my Lolge,* 
who resided some distance from me, made it a part of his busi- 
ness to call on me nearly if not quite every day. And he ap- 
peared with such a pleasant smile, and so buoyantly, so cheer- 
fully and hopefully, and sat and talked at my bedside with so 
much interest and earnestness, that his presence came to be an 
oasis in the darkness and gloom of my sick-chamber. I would 
look out of the window, at the dreary brick walls of the opposite 
side of the street, and comfort myself with the thought that 
to-morrow rny brother would come and compensate me by his 
presence for the monotony of to-day. The very idea of his 
coming would bring to my mind the green fields, and the flow- 
ers, and the rambles of the country, or the busy world of the 
city, where I longed once more to be. Thus, day by day, did 
he appear, and encourage me, and lead my mind away from my 
loneliness, and by his hopeful conversation so enliven my spirits 
as to make me — a poor cripple that could scarcely move — 
happy ! Oh ! how much better is it thus to be the instrument 
of such happiness, imparted to the unfortunate, than to wrap 
oneself up in selfishness — for neglect to perform similar offices 
for our brother is the grossest selfishness — and pass our leisure 
time in an idleness that is a curse to ourselves and a most inhu- 
man injustice to our neighbor! — p. d. 

* Why should I hesitate to tell his name? The Rev. Benjamin B. Hallock, 
now of Mohawk village, Herkimer county. N. Y , is not a man to be either flattered 
or offended by a statement of a fact, intended for the general good. 



78 the odd-fellows' text-book 

2. The Committee of Investigation. — This is anoth- 
er most important committee. Its duties are of the 
gravest description. On it depends, in a very great 
measure, the good or evil reputation of the Lodge. 
It may be said to be the shield of the Lodge against 
the entrance of corrupt characters who would disgrace 
Odd-Fellowship. Hence each member of this com- 
mittee should make it his business, not only to ascer- 
tain from others the general conduct of a candidate, 
but also to see and converse with that person himself; 
to see how he lives at home, and who are his associ- 
ciates, what are his habits, &c. It has been stated 
that some members of investigating committees do not 
even make the least inquiry out of the Lodge, but re- 
port on the candidate at a hazard ! It is sincerely 
hoped, for the honor of the Order, that there are few 
such Odd-Fellows ; and we will add, as our opinion, 
that any brother who would be thus remiss is deserv- 
ing of a severe public reprimand from his Lodge; for 
he surely is a most gross violator of the solemn prom- 
ises he has made, as well as of the plainest obligation 
of a member of this Order. 

3. The Committee of Finance. — It is the duty of 
this committee to superintend the financial concerns of 
the Lodge ; to examine the claims against the Lodge ; 
to inspect and audit quarterly the accounts of the Per- 
manent Secretary and Treasurer, or other officers or 
committees charged with the receiptor expenditure of 
money of the Lodge ; and to report, in writing, as speed- 
ily as possible, on all matters they may have in hand. 
They should be prompt, unprejudiced, and just; and 
should neither conceal nor exaggerate an error or a 
dishonest act of those with whom they have to deal 






THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 79 

If they find a brother to have been a defaulter, they 
should carefully investigate the circumstances of such 
defalcation, and ascertain whether he can redeem his 
lost credit ; and if he can, and do, in a reasonable time, 
they should admonish and forgive him. By this course, 
perhaps, they save not only a pecuniary loss, but pre- 
vent the ruin of a brother whose intentions were never 
eventually to wrong the Lodge. We do not mean by 
this that a defaulter should be screened and permitted 
to escape punishment: we mean that a brother should 
not be driven into hopeless dishonesty by an unrea- 
sonable haste, or a bitter and unnecessary persecution. 

4. The Committee on Claims (or the Widows'' and 
Orphans' 1 Committee). — This committee should be 
elected by the Lodge annually, and may consist of 
three or more brothers. Its duty is to attend to 
the welfare of the widows and orphans of deceased 
brothers, and see that they do not want for anything 
absolutely required for their health and comfort. 
They should visit such widows and orphans at least 
once in each month, and render any service, reason- 
able and necessary, which may seem to be called for. 
Great responsibility rests on this committee, and they 
should not shrink from it. On them devolves, in 
an eminent degree, the direction of the minds of 
the orphans of their dead brother, and they should 
exercise the control and authority of a father over 
those bereaved children. Can any office be more 
responsible? "Good men and true" should be this 
committee on claims ! 

5. The Committee of Trustees. — They are to hold 
in trust for the Lodge all stocks, securities, invest- 
ments, and funds in deposite, or in trust ; and to trans- 



80 THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 

fer, exchange, or deposite the same, or any part thereof, 
whenever required under the laws, or by a vote of the 
Lodge. They are to deposite in person, at the end 
of each term, all sums in the hands of the Treasurer 
exceeding (blank) dollars, in such Savings Bank, Trust 
Company, or institution, as the Lodge may direct, in 
the name of the Trustees for the Lodge, and no amount 
is to be drawn without the order of the Lodge. The 
checks, in all cases, to be signed by a majority of the 
Trustees. The deposite-books to be kept in the hands 
of the Treasurer. They are to have charge of all the 
furniture of the Lodge and Lodge-room, to procure 
such things as may be necessary during the recess of 
the Lodge, and to make, or cause to be made, all 
necessary repairs to the furniture or property of the 
Lodge. 

6. The Committee for the Investigation of Charges, 
and for the Trial of a Brother. — This is anothei 
most important committee. It is a committee of judges, 
and should be a discriminating and an impartial one. 
It should be an intelligent one. It should consist of 
men of firmness, such as would have "justice done, 
though the heavens fall." It should not be in too 
great haste, but take sufficient time to weigh and con- 
sider well the business it has to perform. While it 
should not screen the guilty, it must not hesitate to 
shield the innocent. Too many charges have been pre- 
ferred in this Order from malicious motives ; too many 
from frivolous causes ; too many from pecuniary diffi- 
culties. We have known a man to brin£ a charge 
against a brother who owed him (the charger) money 
which he could not pay ; which charge the Lodge re- 
ceived, and afterward permitted the base complainant 



81 

to withdraw : yet the poor brother, had he possessed 
the friends and the means, might have crushed the 
wretch who, in the very temple of " Friendship, Love, 
and Truth" — Heaven save the mark! — sought an in- 
famous revenge. This committee must discriminate 
between such men and those who bring charges only 
for the general good. They must weigh and examine 
well the probable motive of the prosecutor; and, if 
they find it unworthy, whether the brother charged be 
proven innocent or guilty, they should cause a search- 
ing investigation to be made of the whole matter be- 
tween the two. They must not suffer wealth, or stand- 
ing, or influence, to blind them ; the sword of Justice 
should descend on the guilty, whether he be Crcesus 
or Lazarus. Neither fear nor favor, neither pity nor 
regret, should lighten that blow in the weight of a 
single hair. 



PAYMENT OF DUES. 

Brother, " whenever you visit this Lodge, you must 
immediately, after addressing the officers, attend the 
Secretary, and pay him your weekly dues, or you will 
be liable to a fine." Such were the words that for- 
merly were addressed to the newly-initiated brother as 
a part of his instructions. 

So much has been said and written on this matter, 
and so really and palpably important is it to every 
member of the Order, that it is scarcely possible to 
present any new idea on the subject. The payment 
of dues is so necessary to the life and being of an Odd- 
Fellow, as such, and of the Order at large, that a gen- 



82 

eral failure in it would destroy us and our means of 
good in a year's time. We would advise the brother- 
hood by all means to pay in advance. Those who find 
it difficult to command or to spare the necessary 
amount for a quarter's dues, should pay weekly. Ten 
or fifteen cents paid each week would not be missed, 
and any brother can easily do it; but even this it would 
be well to pay a week in advance. Brothers, keep 
yourselves beyond the reach of accident. Pay in 
advance, for the Grand Lodge of the United States 
has decided that no brother who may be taken sick 
or become disabled while in arrears to the Lodge of 
more than three months due, can by the payment of 
all arrearages become beneficial during that sickness 
or disability. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 83 



ATTENDANCE AT THE LODGE. 

It is the duty of an Odd-Fellow to be vigilant and 
attentive. By this we mean that he should not only be 
strict in the payment of his dues to the Lodge, but that 
he should also be a punctual and regular attendant 
there. No brother can be fully impressed with his 
duty as an Odd-Fellow who attends only once or twice 
in a year, and then merely for the purpose of paying 
his dues. The reasonable inference would be, that 
such a man had become a member of the Fraternity 
for the extremely selfish object of obtaining pecuniary 
advantage, and that he could not, or would not, see 
any excellence in the system beyond that of its benefi- 
cial character. This, unfortunately, is a " too common 
error," and he who is under its influence should be at 
once undeceived. If brothers absent themselves from 
the regular meetings of the Lodge, those who do at- 
tend will naturally feel indignant or grieved, or both, 
and consider that a slight has been put upon them : and 
those who are not members, observing the careless- 
ness of brethren in this matter, will be apt to think that 
there must be very little attraction in Odd-Fellowship, 
when those who are connected with the Lodge appear 
to feel so little interest in its prosperity. Every broth- 
er should be at his Lodge, weekly if possible, but cer- 
tainly once in each month. A general attendance at 
the meetings makes them interesting, and is an encour- 
agement to officers and members. Let it be therefore 
ever borne in mind that punctual attendance at the 
Lodge is an essential duty of every Odd-Fellow. 



84 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

BEHAVIOR IN THE LODGE. 

Brothers, during the work-hours of the Lodge, 
should conduct themselves with the utmost propriety 
and decorum. We would call particular attention to 
this subject. It is the object of all our ceremonies to 
make a good as well as indelible impression on the 
minds of those who would become Odd-Fellows. There 
is a solemnity in the " work" — a reality in the em- 
blems — a truth in the official instructions — which 
should not be trifled with. It would seem to be a 
mere farce to ask another to he serious, while all around 
him are talking and laughing. We do not say that 
any Lodge has so far forgotten its dignity as to act thus 
— we accuse none — but we say plainly, that, if any 
Lodge should perform its work in the midst of confusion 
or uproar, it would bring a scandal upon the Order, 
for which it would deserve to be severely reprimand- 
ed. Such conduct, indeed if indulged and permitted 
for a single evening, would soon show its fruits out. of 
the Lodge. We may rely upon it, the world would 
soon laugh at us, if we should begin the joJcc ourselves. 
If w T e wish to have our " mysteries" preserved, there- 
fore, ive must most sincerely respect them, and thus 
give an example which will command respect from 
others. 

Brothers should also be attentive in the Lodge to its 
regular business; they should listen to whatever may 
be proceeding, in order that they may be able to vote 
upon it with a correct apprehension of its propriety or 
importance. Neither should a brother " dodge" a 
question, or refuse or neglect to vote upon it, without 
a very substantial reason. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 85 



BEHAVIOR OUT OF THE LODGE. 

Odd-Fellows should endeavor to convince the 
world, by their conduct as neighbors and citizens, that 
the teachings and objects of their Institution tend to 
make them wiser and better men. They should be 
upright and correct in their dealings — should be char- 
itable and benevolent — willing to relieve the distresses 
and wants of the poor, when they may do so consist- 
ently. They should be industrious and virtuous, and 
provide for those dependent upon them. The Odd- 
Fellow who behaves ill to his family, either personally 
in not providing for their wants, or by idling away his 
time in dissipation and drunkenness, should be accused 
before his Lodge, and condemned for conduct unbe- 
coming his profession. 

It is well enough for Odd-Fellows to encourage each 
other in business, preferring to employ brothers rather 
than strangers, provided they can be accommodated 
equally as well. This they are not of course enjoined 
to do by the laws of the Order ; but they may as broth- 
ers prefer one another, and no reasonable man can 
consistently complain of such preference. 

Brothers should be strictly cautious in their conver- 
sations and communication with others relative to the 
business of their Lodges. They should not only make 
no improper discovery to the uninformed, but they 
should also not, by any hint or double entendre, excite 
the curiosity of the world. They should never forget 
that curious people are constantly on the alert to catch 
at any word on this subject which, they imagine, may 
enlighten them with reference to our "secrecy." 



86 THE ODD-FELLOWS* TEXT-BOOK. 

DUTY OF ONE MEMBER TOWARD 
ANOTHER. 

Every one should feel and display a deep interesi 
in the prosperity of the society in which he has a part. 
Its interests are his interests; he, too, is a professed 
supporter of its objects ; he is, as far as his abilities 
go, responsible for its proceedings ; he will actively 
concern himself for the faithful preservation of its 
tenets ; he will rejoice in its peaceful state of activity. 
This only is to be accomplished by a continued affa- 
bility and familiarity of manner toward those among 
whom he associates ; austerity, pride, and pedantry, 
are the three greatest enemies to such a consummation : 
he will not, therefore, by exercising an undue degree 
of the baneful tendency of self opinion, destroy that 
fellow-feeling so requisite among all who enter a Lodge- 
room. Let no degree of slight originate between us, 
because the individual who sits next us has, by his 
ordinary avocation, a more grimy dye upon his fea- 
tures, or the shallowness of his purse causes his coat 
to be made of a coarser material than our own. His 
interests in the Lodge are conjointly formed with ours ; 
consequently, so long as the principles of the Order 
are held in deference and esteem by him, he deserves 
the same mark of respect from us which perchance is 
due from us to others of a higher caste. Again, let 
not the latter party imagine a slight where none is 
meant. His fellow- member's carriage and deportment 
in common life may seem to rank nigh to pedantry, or 
his style of language and general comportment seem 
like affectation ; still, however dissonant it may be to 



the odd-fellows' text-buok. 87 

our own feelings, he may hold good the principles oi 
Odd-Fellowship, and condemnation of his demeanor is 
not justifiable without sufficient proof to his prejudice. 
On either hand we must withhold judgment until ex- 
perience shall have decided us. Particularities should 
have very little to do with the Order, which is noble 
and plastic, is meant for the world, and is adapted for 
man in all his diversified circumstances ; equality and 
brotherhood should be our greatest aim. 

In all our dealings, all our discussional points, let 
us not assume a loftier degree of superiority than the 
most well-founded pretensions can warrant ; neither 
let us lack spirit enough to think ourselves inferior to 
those who by dint of pleasing though powerful language 
may carry an argument, when the smallest iota of 
sound 1 3ason may tell us we excel them. To dwell 
on our own distinctive points, or those of other parties, 
has an alienating and divisive tendency. The very 
nature of things tells us that arrogant pretensions en- 
kindle resistance ; that ascendency generates discon- 
tent; that insolence awakens scorn. Again, fear pro- 
duces contempt ; truculence strengthens authority ; 
adulation confirms pride. To enjoy more fully the 
desirable connection which our frequent intercourse 
affords, we should ever grace our conduct to each 
other with mildness, and generosity, and frankness, 
and confidence ; always open to advice when needful, 
whether it emanate from those whom we may consider 
a grade below us, or from those in a station superior 
to our own ; and ever ready to perform the same office 
to others, as far as in us lies, without pride and arro- 
gance, always remembering that cordial affability gen- 
erally begets esteem. Under any other system social 



88 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

kindness dies away, and jealousy, resentment, and envy, 
usurp its place. But what need be said more than 
this — "we are members one of another," and we 
should ever nourish a feeling of brotherly love to all 
who join us. The " law of love" is the rule of Chris- 
tian intercourse : let not a perversion of its principles 
be shown among Odd-Fellows. To every one we 
should stand ready to exercise kindness, gentleness, 
forbearance, fidelity. To any that are erring from the 
strict path of rectitude, we should be assiduous in im- 
parting warning, reproof, and instruction — thereby ce- 
menting more firmly the bonds which endear us. To 
the afflicted we should administer, as far as ability will 
admit, to their comfort; at the same time manifest our 
sympathy. By thus bringing together our good inten- 
tions, and combining their influences, every individual 
will partake of the general energy. Our scattered light 
will thus be concentrated into one orb, shedding a lus- 
trous halo on all around. 

Toward those who are elected our officers let us 
exercise a beseeming degree of respect and deference, 
that they may find we do not set an idle value upon 
the offices they fill. By our own voice they preside 
over us, and consequently we virtually engage to accept 
their instruction in all that pertaineth to the good of 
the Order. Hence, members of the Order are expected 
to welcome official admonition, reproof, and advice. 
We mean no slavish mental or bodily fear or adulation 
— no sacrifice of conscience or judgment ; but a readi- 
ness to hear the inculcation of the different principles 
of the Order — a uniform obedience to its laws, how- 
ever apparently disagreeable. This is a duty we sol- 
emnly promise when we enter a Lodge, and to swerve 



89 

from such duty is a gross violation of honor as a man 
and an Odd-Fellow. 

Odd-Fellowship is, in our opinion, founded on the 
strictest principles of piety ; and we must perceive, in 
its social regulations, that the happiness of an individ- 
ual member must rise or fall in proportion to the inter- 
est he feels in the welfare of his fellow-members, and 
for the preservation of the Order in common. Like 
the heavenly bodies, which are preserved in their rela- 
tive position to each other by their common attraction 
to the sun, Odd-Fellows are kept in unison with each 
other by their attachment to principles which directly 
govern them. Those who can not heartily perform 
the social duties of Odd-Fellowship, want an essential 
mark of fellow-feeling to mankind in general. What 
other proof need be afforded of the efficacy and moral 
tendency of the Order, than the increasing, and rapid, 
and astonishing progress it has made throughout the 
world within the last few years? As the light of intel- 
lect improves, Odd-Fellowship will acquire adherents 
and keep pace with it. Wherever it once becomes 
known, its benign influences are embraced, and no 
excitement is needed to blazon forth its precepts to 
accumulate disciples. Opposition has been made to 
it — is likely to be made — by the base, the self-suffi- 
cient, and the unworthy ; but its purity has ever stood 
the fiery ordeal, and come forth in more vivid colors — 
its pristine brightness untarnished, unsullied. 

Let us, then, persist in the glorious work we have 
commenced, with vigor and unflinching stability ; let 
our bark, while sailing on the extensive ocean of Fel- 
lowship, be guided by the compass of justice; and, 
if we may continue the metaphor, let us perseveringly 



90 

pursue the track its needle indicates ; that, when ar- 
rived at our destined haven, we may, with a pure con- 
sciousness of having supported to the utmost our pur- 
pose of benevolence and charity, securely recline our 
heads on the satisfactory pillow of contentment, and 
indulge in the aspiring hope that when summoned from 
this sublunary sphere, we may meet with an eternal 
welcome in that " angel-land" where " sorrow intrudes 
not" — where "the wicked cease from troubling, and 
the weary are at rest !" 



CHARITY SHOULD DISTINGUISH ODD- 
FELLOWS. 

Among the several moral virtues, Charity occupies 
a very prominent station. It is not, indeed, so much 
an independent virtue, as it is the element in which 
the other virtues move and operate. Its influence is 
remote, rather than immediate ; and its excellence is 
seen to the best advantage, when observed in the 
various accidents and circumstances of practical life. 
When we think of Charity, we think of it rather as an 
energy to give tone and character to other graces, than 
of something which is in itself a grace. Performed 
in the true spirit of Charity, the simplest act wears an 
aspect of beauty and sublimity ; apart from its pres- 
ence and influence, the most important action appears 
altogether hideous and revolting. Hence, an inspire' 
writer has aptly called it " the very bond of perfect- 
ness ;" which is, in effect, to constitute it a sort of 
atmosphere for the other virtues to move in. 



91 

Charity is that universal feeling of good-will and 
kindness, which, rejecting local circumstances and 
prejudices, is willing to embrace the breathing uni- 
verse in the spirit of concession and compromise : and 
which, where its object is smitten by the hand of pov- 
erty, is desirous of displaying itself in acts of pecu- 
niary assistance. If we would make a just estimate 
of its importance, let us look abroad upon the face of 
the peopled earth. Let us observe the myriads upon 
myriads of active beings dwelling upon its surface, 
who, as civil and social beings, are bound together 
mainly by the cold law of selfishness ; consider the 
numerous weaknesses and errors of human judgment ; 
mark the perpetual liabilities to collision of feeling and 
interest ; and we may then be prepared to form some 
idea of the importance of Charity. It is true that 
man, as an individual, possesses sympathies and incli- 
nations that lead to seek with avidity the fellowship of 
his species ; but, so soon as he enters into a state in 
society, his feelings of selfishness gain the ascendency 
of all the rest : hence the necessity of some strong 
opposing principle, which shall be, in fact, the great 
conservative principle of humanity. Such a principle 
is Charity. Like an angel of mercy, it has gone forth 
into the various departments of society with " healing 
in ics wings ;" often humbling and subduing the proud 
oppressor's heart ; and ever seeking to soothe the 
wretched and disconsolate. 

The monuments of Charity are more enduring than 
those of the hero ; for they speak not of devastation 
and blood, but of positive deeds of mercy that can 
never be forgotten, until nature has forgotten to do its 
wonted work upon the memory of man. And while 



92 

systems that have grown weak from age shall have 
fallen with a crash that shall shake the earth, it will be 
the province of Charity to gather up the fragments 
that lay around, and march on, to shape to better 
purposes the destiny of the coming period. 

But, if Charity be thus important in itself, institu- 
tions tending to extend and perpetuate its influence 
must be of vast utility also. Such an institution is 
Odd-Fellowship. It is based upon the purest prin- 
ciples of equality, extending like privileges and immu- 
nities to all its membership ; and, rejecting all prefer- 
ence for any particular creed in religion, it clings, with 
the utmost tenacity, to those great moral principles 
which are shadowed forth in the impressions of nature, 
and confirmed by the precepts of Divine Revelation. 
Its membership, particularly those of more elevated 
condition, should learn to lay aside feelings of pride 
and ostentation, by the frequent recurrence of scenes 
of sorrow and wretchedness ; while from those scenes 
they should gather a practical commentary upon the 
unstable character of earthly pomp and glory. Les- 
sons taught by example are more thrilling than those 
gathered from the history of past events. There is no 
school so good as that of self-experience. We read 
of events of gone-by generations, as things about which 
we are concerned but little ; and of those who were 
long since subjected to the sad fluctuations of earthl} 
fortune, we are too apt to feel that they were beings 
with whose destinies our own are but slightly identified. 
We read of Xerxes, who marshalled his millions upon 
the plains of Asia-Minor, and fancied himself capable 
of shaking the pillars of the universe. A moment 
more, we see him flying from a handful of detested 



93 



Grecians. We read of Tadmor in the desert, whose 
splendor almost added additional lustre to the sun. 
Alas, she is gone now ! and she and Xerxes sleep in 
the same oblivious tomb. We read the sad illustration 
of the fleeting nature of earthly glory : it is an old 
story ; and our hearts turn away but slightly affected. 
But when from a tragedy, which was acted many cen- 
turies ago, we turn aside to gaze, for ourselves, upon 
a scene of wo and wretchedness, the tear of sympathy 
will glisten in the eye, and the visage, despite of itself, 
will begin to express the commiseration that rules the 
heart within. Such feelings indicate the true spirit of 
Charity ; and such feelings Odd-Fellowship is well 
calculated to create and preserve. 

But while Odd-Fellowship thus fosters Charity, and 
extends its influence as a social principle, it strips it 
of its most revolting character, when made to assume 
the garb of almsgiving. To a sensitive being, how- 
ever desolate his condition, the idea of being the 
receiver of accidental charity is a loathsome thing. 
This feeling Odd-Fellowship takes away, since, in 
sending its alms to the desolate widow — who stands in 
silent but. speaking wretchedness over the couch of her 
deceased husband — it places it in her hands as that 
which is hers by right of inheritance. This is an 
incalculable good. It is not enough that alms be 
given : they must be so given that the subject does not 
fed. the sad necessity he is under to receive them. 
Otherwise, in relieving an immediate necessity, alms- 
giving would often lead to a remote and fearful evil, 
by making its subject repine at his lot, and curse the 
hard hand of Providence for subjecting him to so sad 
a state of vassalage. 



94 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

In promoting Odd-Fellowship, then, we are sub- 
serving the best interests of humanity by advancing 
Charily. Together may they run out into the variou? 
departments of society, until they shall have com- 
passed the four corners of the earth ! And while 
Charity shall erect its temple in every land, may 
benevolence and love rule the feeling of every breast! 



THE PROPOSAL OF CANDIDATES. 

Thts is unquestionably one of the most essential 
matters, in reference to Odd-Fellowship, that can be 
suggested ; and we shall, therefore, speak plainly, 
though we trust not harshly, upon it. If we assert 
that much harm has resulted from negligence or hasti- 
?iess in this business, we trust that those who may have 
been to blame will take no offence, but that they will 
" make haste" to atone, in some measure, for the evil 
they have done, by restraining others from following 
their example. 

There was an old charge (and an excellent one), 
which Odd-Fellows heard very often, and which might 
still, with much propriety, be impressed on their minds. 
The spirit of Innovation has " flung" that good old 
sentence of advice, with some other good things, into 
the shade ; but we shall print it here, with the hope 
that some thousands of Odd-Fellows, now and hereaf- 
ter, will read and ponder it. It is as follows: — 

" Should you, at any time, propose a friend to be' 
come a member of this Order, see that he be such a 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 95 

man as will be likely to conform to the rules and pre- 
cepts of Odd-Fellowship ; for nothing is so painful to 
the feelings of faithful Odd-Fellows as to see the 
requirements of the Institution trampled upon and 
profaned." 

With such an injunction as this impressed upon the 
mind, surely no Odd-Fellow could conscientiously be 
instrumental in bringing an unworthy person into the 
Fraternity. He would be careful to propose no such 
character. It will not do to say that a bad man may 
be expelled, and that his admission, therefore, will 
produce no harm. For when a worthless character 
once gains access to a Lodge, and is enrolled among 
its members, although it is true we can always remove 
him from a place he is unfit to fill, yet, as every one 
has some friends, the cure, in this case, is at least as 
bad as the disease. How much better is it to be care- 
ful, and allow no such person to be even proposed! 
If a person heedlessly rush into danger, and break a 
limb, or engender a pestilential fever, his physician 
may restore him to health ; but how preferable to the 
physician would prevention have been ! So, more 
mischief can be avoided, and more good effected, by 
employing our vigilance and caution in proposing can- 
didates, than in healing the wounds caused by unworthy 
men after they have once entered our halls and been 
initiated into our mysteries. It is a lamentable fact, 
and one which has done us, as an Order, more harm 
than all the opposition of our enemies, that there have 
been bad men introduced among us. We can not 
deny this fact, humiliating as it is, but we can surely 
prevent a repetition of occurrences so much to be 
deprecated. 



96 

We would not undertake to set up any particulai 
standard or rule in this matter ; but we would suggest 
that any brother who proposes for Odd-Fellows men 
whose characters are known to be bad, violates, as a 
member of our Brotherhood, every principle of honor, 
and deserves himself expulsion from any Lodge which 
ho thereby so deeply disgraces and injures. Scoffers, 
bigots, gamblers, drunkards, slanderers, liars, sensual- 
ists, misers, swindlers, men who abandon wives and 
children, men who " grind the faces of the poor" — 
should no more be admitted into an Odd-Fellows' 
Lod^e than the thief or the murderer ! 

Every man who becomes a member of a Lodge, 
signs his name to a written or printed paper, in which 
occurs something like the following: — 

"Any person not under twenty-one years of age, 
of good moral character and industrious habits, and 
exempt from all infirmities which may prevent his 
gaining a livelihood for himself and family, shall be 
eligible to membership in this Lodge. Brothers, 
before proposing a candidate for membership, must 
first ascertain if he is qualified according to the pre- 
ceding conditions ; his name must then be submitted, 
and, at the time of making the proposition, the sum 
of blank dollars must be deposited with the Secretary ; 
and in case the candidate should not come forward 
within eight weeks after being notified of his election 
(unless prevented by sickness or absence from town), 
he shall forfeit the same, and it shall be paid over 
to the Widow and Orphans' Fund, and the propo- 
sition shall be void ; but should he be rejected, the 
amount so paid shall be refunded. When a propo- 
sition for membership has been made, the same shall 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 97 

be referred to a Committee of three brothers, who 
shall report at the next regular meeting, when the 
candidate shall be balloted for, and if he receive an 
unfavorable vote, the same can in no case be recon- 
sidered ; unless all the members who voted black 
balls, voluntarily, in open Lodge, declare they did so 
by mistake. Every member, on being admitted into 
this Lodge, shall sign the Constitution and By-Laws 
thereof, agreeing to support the same and pay all 
legal demands against him so long as he remains a 
member of this Lodge ; he shall also furnish the 
Secretary with his residence, and, in case of removal, 
shall notify him within three weeks thereafter." 

This is what Odd-Fellows should consider carefully, 
in all its bearings, ere they propose any man, no 
matter how much a, friend he may be, to the Order. 



DISCIPLINE OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 

Human nature is formed of a material so frail in 
texture, that, however plausible may be its tenor for a 
time — unless bound by an adamantine chain of reso- 
lution — temptation soon makes an inroad upon its ter- 
ritories, and wantonly destroys all its barriers, all its 
good intentions. It can not therefore be surprising 
that in a Fraternity of 300,000, let their designs be 
ever so pure, some means must be taken to exercise a 
spirit of consistency among them, having for its object 
the perpetuity of the cause and the benefit of each in- 
dividual. Every human institution provides against 



98 

departures from the purpose and spirit of its establish- 
ment. We see the Society of Friends — a fraternity 
whose apathy to form is proverbial, where it can in the 
slightest case be dispensed with — even they have rules 
framed so as to protect its principles against the possi- 
bility of perversion. Every bill for the enclosure of a 
waste or the construction of a railway is marked by the 
suspicious prudence of mankind in dealing with their 
brethren. Now in scarcely any other case is there so 
great danger of innovation as in the case of Odd-Fel- 
lowship — a tender plant in an ungenial soil. Hence 
our General Laws, hence our By-Laws : how they 
operate, the increasing prosperity of the Order shows. 
To prevent a general decay, we must put forcible re- 
strictions upon a defaulter. We must have control 
somewhere. It is nothing but reasonable, therefore, 
that a government be formed, like that of the Grand 
Lodge of the United States, for the guidance of the 
whole, and the preserving a general and perpetual 
spirit of uniformity. If we are to remain a company 
of unflinching advocates in the cause of philanthropy, 
we must exact an unrelaxing discipline from all. The 
object to be kept in view is the purity of the Order 
and the good of all who oppose its interests by a base 
perversion of its principles. Still we are to avoid all 
rashness, all hasty conclusions. Reproof should be 
administered where a disposition is shown to infringe 
upon a law, and that in a serious manner, "with great 
meekness and pity," and with perfect impartiality. 
Admonition will often bring an erring brother to con- 
trition. St. PauTtreats admirably on this point, when 
Writing to the church at Thessalonica : " Note that 
man, and have no company with him, that he may be 



THE ODD-FELLOWS* TEXT-BOOK. 99 

ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but ad- 
monish him as a brother." In every case of infrac- 
tion the object should be to " restore" an offender, 
rather than to punish or expel him. We see, then, 
the necessity of not entirely abandoning those who err : 
they should be warned, and, if possible, convinced of 
their departure from rule, that they may be " restored 
in the spirit of meekness." Persons are placed in a 
very delicate situation who incur the censure of a 
Lodge, and ought to feel and know the dishonor and 
danger that fall, not only upon themselves, but upon 
the Order in particular; for the prejudice of the world 
is strong, and many who " lie in wait for our halting" 
would rejoice at the prospect of our downfall. 

Earnest adherence to rule is particularly necessary 
to Odd-Fellowship. We must never allow discipline 
to be relaxed, as the number of cases, which may by 
such means require it, increase and the Order must 
contain many who are indisposed to employ the goodly 
resoluteness. Hence, too, noni save such as entertain 
a strict desire for the prosperity of the Order, can be 
expected to maintain a real discipline. Many "roots 
of bitterness" will spring up in Lodges, and we can 
not expect to arrive at so desired a state of perfectness 
but some will be "found wanting;" for whereunto is 
the palace that foul things sometimes intrude not? 

The time must eventually arrive when our elder 
brethren will be " gathered to their fathers," and the 
guidance of the Order devolve on the younger mem- 
bers. If, then, we indulge in odious petty differences 
now, we must bid farewell to the tranquillity, content, 
and peace, exhibited and enjoyed to-day, and dread 
the anarchy, confusion, and turbulence, that will assu- 



100 THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 

redly prevail to-morrow. " Can such things be, and 
overcome us, like a summer's cloud, without our spe- 
cial wonder?" To obviate so dire an aspect in the 
perspective, so bitterly repugnant to the feelings of 
every true Odd-Fellow, so utterly at variance with the 
purposes for which our praiseworthy Institution was 
founded, let us, by our uniform adherence to its prin- 
ciples, evince our determination to secure unviolated, 
unsullied, without stain and without alloy, the purity 
of Odd-Fellowship in our own day. 

A decided enforcement of discipline is necessary in 
the promotion of unity among us, without which we 
may, as the numerous sands on a seabeach, lie in acci- 
dental proximity — in a seeming connectedness with 
each other — but, upon a more superficial observance, 
our manifold and important parts are wofully disjointed. 
We must exhibit a solidity of purpose and principle 
entirely connected. We must, like a mass of gold, 
uniformly allow all our parts and particles to adhere 
and combine; and so evince an ardent desire of reso- 
lution to fulfil the important duties we are called upon 
to perform in a manner that will reflect credit on the 
Order, and convey satisfaction to ourselves. We must, 
by unity, not only constitute a great number, but a great 
one. We must be united in both common interests 
and reciprocal esteem. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 101 



PRINCIPLES OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 

One of the fundamental rules of life, laid down by 
our great Master, is, to " do unto others as ye would 
that others should do unto you." An injunction ema- 
nating from so divine a Source, can not fail to inspire 
every rational being with that sense of social fellowship 
which is due from one created individual to another, 
and must, therefore, elevate his mind to a perfection 
of purity far above the common feelings of life. This, 
we apprehend, was the chief intention of our ancestors, 
in guiding them to the attainment and general spread 
of Odd-Fellowship throughout the universe. The 
ordinary obligations of Odd-Fellowship are attached 
to the members of Lodges in their collective charac- 
ter ; but there are some positive and some negative 
duties, arising therefrom, which specially belong to 
such members ; every brother is required to have faith, 
and all the virtues therein composed are to be evinced 
by him. Before entering on this topic, it may be useful 
to notice, generally, the purposes of Odd-Fellowship. 
Odd-Fellowship is the exercise of the social principle 
in matters of common life — the junction of men who 
agree in views, and tastes, and purposes, for their joint 
assistance and united endeavors for providing relief in 
the hour of need. It is not confined to one particular 



102 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

occasion, or limited to one transaction : it extends its 
advantages to all who recognise each other as mem- 
bers — who rank under one common head ; every 
expression of fraternal regard, every participation in 
the enjoyments of friendship, every act of sympathy 
and benevolence, as truly belongs to the principles of 
Odd-Fellowship, as the celebration of a natal day. 
Such ought to be the predominant feature displayed 
in the conduct of all who enter a Lodge-room. In 
truth, if we are strangers to communion with our 
brothers on other occasions, it is impossible for us to 
enjoy it there ; for the mind is not a piece of mechan- 
ism, which can be set going at pleasure, whose move- 
ments are obedient to the call of time and place. 
Nothing short of habitual sympathy, springing from the 
cultivation of benevolent feeling and the interchange 
of kind offices, will secure that reciprocal delight, that 
social pleasure, which are the soul of our communion. 
Our frequent flow of benevolence should not be limited 
to those who belong to the Order alone, but to all our 
fellow-creatures, when time and circumstance give oc- 
casion, in order that we may more cheerfully fulfil 
kind intentions to those who have a more immediate 
claim upon our liberality in the Order ; as, if such 
sentiments do not sway our bosoms upon ordinary 
occasions, how can we voluntarily, and without a 
struggle, perform an act of good-will to our individual 
Lodge-members? And when a moiety is contributed 
with a turbulent spirit, the recipient had much rather 
remain in his penurious state than seek relief from 
Such a donor. Thus Odd-Fellowship requires its vo- 
taries to manifest a feeling of benevolence in public 
as wel 1 as private ; the one will naturally lead us to 



THE ODD-FELLO^VS' TEXT-BOOK- 103 

perform good deeds toward the other: therefore, if we 
fail on the one hand, a total neglect and indifference 
will arise on the other. To advance the principles of 
Odd-Fellowship, it is necessary to cultivate and enter- 
tain its foremost purpose, the benign spirit of philan- 
thropy, as regards the welfare of others. Can we, 
without compunction, exercise benevolence to our in- 
dividual relatives, if we exhibit a dereliction of that 
principle for a stranger ? Can we imitate the timely 
compassion of a Samaritan, if we foster the detestable 
feelings of vicious pride and contempt of a Levite? 
" When" — asks Cowper — 

" When was public virtue found 
Where private was not ? Can he love the wbole 
Who loves no part ? he be a nation's friend, 
Who is, in truth, the friend of no man there? 
Can he be strenuous in his country's cause, 
Who slights the charities for whose dear sake 
That country, if at all, must be beloved ?" 

Thus, then, we may conclude that the principles of 
Odd-Fellowship as much depend upon our general 
conduct out of the Order, as our character in common 
life depends upon our energetic fulfilment of disciple- 
ship in the Order. 

A constant provision (which is the great object of 
Odd-Fellowship) against the needs of brethren, is ar 
operation and display of principle far more exalted in 
the eyes of all good men than the incidental manifesta- 
tion of charity, under the impulse of a momentary 
sympathy. To lay by a store of bounty for suffering 
and needy brethren, is to treasure up love and happi- 
ness in the heart — is a work of principle far surpassing 
the acts of a temporary compassion ; it is the founda- 
tion-stone on which the sublime structure of Odd-Fel- 



104 THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 

lowship was raised, and finally became the formidably 
edifice we now behold. Nor could a more suitable 
plan be brought into operation, for expressing our filial 
attachment to that portion of mankind whose reci- 
procity of feelings demnnds our aid. Whatever plan 
might be adopted, we arrive but at one conclusion: 
we are bound by not only the law of nature, but the 
law of God, " not to see any brother htve need, and 
shut up our bowels of compassion from him." Odd- 
Fellowship is constructed upon as- divine principles as 
those which sway other institutions. Every votary at 
its shrine is expected to love and exalt its precepts — 
to love them for the sake of their excellence — to love 
them for the sake of those benefits which we all, in 
common, enjoy — to love them in this life, for the sake 
of that heavenly communion in which we hope to 
dwell hereafter. Odd-Fellowship is loud in prohibit- 
ing all jealousies ; all rejoicings in the evils of another ; 
all encouragement to vice, irregularities, and vicious 
propensities : i' encourages all good deeds, and con- 
demns all frail habits ; it advances man in the social 
scale of life, and retards, by avoidance, him whose 
absolute viciousness requires admonition ; it requires 
us to cherish love toward all mankind, though not 
immediately connected with them : not that it requires 
us to neglect the officers and brothers of a Lodge with 
whom we are directly allied — no, this would be to 
destroy our membership in a particular coterie, and 
lose our social privileges and the peculiar advantages 
therewith attended, in a vague generality of commu- 
nion. The very fact of our entering one particular 
Lodge, intimates our preference for that Lodge, in dis- 
tinction from the rest, and requires our participation 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 105 

and exertions in its services : still, while such does 
not merge our membership in a vagrant indifference 
to its privileges, we are not to lose our feeling of 
catholicity in the restrictiveness of a general commu- 
nion. Here, Odd-Fellows maintain a visible bond of 
union in the world. An individual unites himself to 
a Lodge, that Lodge is united to other similar bodies, 
and thus has arisen universal association, whose praise- 
worthy efforts to do good is augmented by each indi- 
vidual putting '• his shoulder to the wheel." It must 
be remembered that a union with one particular soci- 
ety does not dissociate us from the general body ; we 
are members of a. community, though immediately con- 
nected with a particular family ; we belong to a king- 
dom, as well as a city within it, and are not allowed 
to lose either our patriotism in our citizenship, or our 
citizenship in our patriotism. All Lodges are to be 
regarded with the same benevolent feelings which char- 
acterize its uniformity, notwithstanding our intimate 
connection with one of them in particular. In an 
army are many companies^ yet one great fraternity — 
" distinct as the billows, yet one as the ocean." So 
with Odd-Fellowship: we belong to a Lodge, yet 
are accountable to the Order for our actions ; and it 
appears but reasonable that one Lodge should recog- 
nise, as a sister, a Lodge similarly consisting of indi- 
viduals acting under the same authority, and seeking 
to promote the same cause. In this spirit, our Lodges 
are allowed to visit each other as brethren, and even 
to receive each other's members as brethren ; they 
co-operate for the good of the Order, and thus recog- 
nise each other ; they reciprocally seek and render 
advice ; they relieve each other's necessities, and 



106 



in various ways are esteem and confidence exnibited 
and expressed. The principles of Odd-Fellowship 
emphatically hold forth, that however useful, and de- 
lightful, and legitimate, it may be to hold communion 
with other Lodges, regular attention to our own is 
obligatory — is indispensable. 

In a word, " universal love to all mankind," and a 
mutual sympathy with the wants of our fraternal breth- 
ren, are the two great pillars that support the laudable 
capital of Odd-Fellowship. Long may they stand ; 
long may they remain an impenetrable barrier to rebut 
the attacks of the prejudiced and unprincipled ; long 
may they flourish in the refined sculpture that now 
decks them ; long may they serve as a beacon-light, 
to guide the hesitating and the wavering unto where 
true felicity may be experienced ; and long may they 
prove a source of relief to the afflicted, the needy, and 
the oppressed ! 



OPENING AND CLOSING A LODGE.* 

Previous to the opening of a Lodge, the officers 
and members must be clothed in proper regalia, and 
each take his station or seat. The door must be 

* The method (not the form) of opening and closing an En- 
campment is similar to that of opening and closing a Lodge. 
The Chief-Patriarch requires the officers to specify their duties, 
and he must see that these duties are performed. The High- 
Priest, at the opening and the close, offers an appropriate 
prayer. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 107 

closed ; and the Warden will see that all the brothers 
in the room are " correct." The respective officers 
will then severally state what their duties are ; after 
which the N. G. will remind the brothers of their duty 
as Odd-Fellows and members of the Lodge, and cause 
the Lodge to be declared opened for such business as 
may be lawfully brought before it, and for the diffusion 
of the principles of benevolence and charity. The 
chaplain may then offer the following prayer ; after 
which the business will proceed : — 

" Almighty and most merciful God ! we adore thee as the 
Creator of all worlds, and the righteous Governor of all beings, 
upon whom we are dependent for life and all its blessings, and 
without whose favor no human enterprise can permanently pros- 
per. Lift upon us, we pray thee, O Lord, the light of thy 
countenance, and bless us while we are together this evening. 
May all things be done in the spirit of charity and brotherly 
kindness, and may our labors of love be blessed to the promotion 
of the best interests of our beloved Order. Hear us, O God, in 
behalf of the stranger, the sick, the afflicted, the widow, and 
the orphan, and bless them as thou seest that they may need. 
Keep us ever in thy fear and wisdom, and save us all with an 
everlasting salvation : and to thy great name be all the glory, 
' as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world 
without end.' Amen.'" 

When the business shall have been finished, the 
brothers will rise at the call of the N. G., and after the 
officers shall have stated their duties at the closing (the 
V. G. having first thanked the brothers for their com- 
pany, and requested it again), the Lodge will be de- 
clared closed until next Lodge-ni^ht : after which the 
chaplain may offer the following prayer : — 

" We bless thee, O Lord, that we have been permitted to 
enjoy this another Lodge-meeting. Pardon what thou hast 



108 THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 

seen amiss in us ; and now, as we are about to depart, let thy 
blessing be with us, and with all our brethren throughout the 
globe. May brotherly love prevail, and every moral and social 
virtue adorn our lives, while members of this Lodge below, and 
at last may we be admitted to the joys of a better world : and 
thine be the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen." 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 109 



DEGREES AND DEGREE LODGES.* 

Degree Lodges are formed for the purpose merely 
of conferring the five subordinate Degrees on members 
who may apply for them : their legality is recognised 
by the Grand Lodge of the United States. The time, 
place, and manner of conferring the Degrees, are proper 
subjects for local legislation. They may be conferred 
by the Grand-Master, the D. G. Master of a District, 
or his deputy ; by the Noble-Grand of the Lodge to 
which the applicant may be attached, or by a Degree 
Lodge established for the purpose. But no Lodge 
can confer Degrees upon a member of another Lodge, 
without the consent of the Lodge to which the member 
belongs. The minimum price for Degrees is left to 
the control of the local Grand Lodges. Certificates 
for Degrees must be granted by the subordinate Lodges 
to its members, by ballot, on the presentation of 
which certificates to the proper officer the brothers 
are entitled to be instructed in the Degrees named 
therein. Not more than the first two Degrees can 

* The time between Initiation and the first Degree, and the 
period between the Degrees, and between rejection and re-appli- 
cation, is left to the legislation of State Grand Lodges. The 
article is correct as to some jurisdictions, but not in all. 



110 THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 

be conferred at one time, unless the most urgent 
necessity be shown to exist, in which case the Grand- 
Master of the Grand Lodge, or his Deputy, may 
grant a dispensation permitting the five to be con- 
ferred on the same day. 

A Degree Lodge is sanctioned by the Grand Lodge 
of a state, to which it is amenable. Its officers consist 
of a Degree Master (who occupies the principal chair), 
a Deputy Degree Master (who occupies the chair of the 
Vice-Grand), a First and Second Assistant Deputy De- 
gree Master (whose stations are to the right and left of 
the Degree Master), a Warden, a Conductor, a Secre- 
tary, and a Treasurer, whose positions are the same as 
in the subordinate Lodge. It is usually supported by a 
charge of from twelve to twenty-five cents for each 
Degree it confers, the Lodge to which the member 
belongs always receiving the sum fixed upon by the 
Grand Lodge as the price for Degrees; but it is not 
uncommon for the Lodge to pay the charge of the 
Degree Lodge. Upon the written petition of five or 
more Past Grands and five or more Scarlet-Degree 
members of the Order, praying for a warrant to open a 
Degree Lodge, the Grand Lodge may grant the same; 
and such Degree Lodge will receive its charter and the 
necessary lectures and instructions in the same manner 
as is provided for subordinate Lodges. 

No Degree Lodge can admit or retain in member- 
ship any person who is not a regular contributing 
member of a subordinate Lodge, unless it be one 
whose card is in the possession of the Grand Lodge 
or its officers as an applicant for a charter for a Lodge. 

Persons to whom is confided the duty of conferring 
Degrees should he men of known and unquestionable 
ability. They should be able to read and speak well, 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. HI 

and be capable of impressing the truths they are called 
upon to teach, in a solemn and dignified manner, upon 
the mind of the candidate. They should be rigidly 
accurate in their explanations, and be competent to 
express them so perfectly and correctly as to render 
the slightest mistake or misapprehension impossible. 



PAST-OFFICIAL DEGREES, ETC. 

Past-Official Degrees are conferred on the Past 
(Assistant) Secretary, Past Vice-Grand, and Past 
Noble- Grand only (except in cases of newly-organized 
Lodges), and then for service in the Lodge for a 
majority of meetings in each term. The Grand- 
Master or his Deputy, a Degree Lodge, or the Lecture- 
Master of a Lodge conferring its own Degrees, are 
the proper persons to confer and explain these 
Degrees. 

The Grand-Lodge Degree is conferred by the 
Grand-Warden, usually in the Grand Lodge room. 
Any brother who has passed the higher chair of his 
Lodge is entitled to it. It is uniform to all Grand 
Lodges. In order to obtain it, a brother must present 
a certificate, under seal of his Lodge, showing that he 
has served as Noble-Grand. 

The Grand-Encampment Degree may be conferred 
(by the Grand High-Priest) on all P. C. Patriarchs, 
and in some states also on Past High-Priests. They 
must produce certificates from their Encampments, 
showing that they have passed the chairs. 



112 THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 



SUBORDINATE ENCAMPMENTS. 

Subordinate Encampments exist by virtue of war- 
rants, or charters, granted by a Grand Encampment, 
or by the Grand Lodge of the United States. Seven 
members of the Royal-Purple Degree, in good stand- 
ing, may obtain a charter for an Encampment.* 

To acquire or retain membership in an Encamp- 
ment, full membership in a Lodge is indispensably 
necessary. Neither can any person become a member 
of an Encampment who has not' attained to the Scarlet 
Degree. 

A brother who wishes to propose another as a mem- 
ber of an Encampment, must do so in writing, and the 
applicant must pass the same ordeal of investigation as 
when entering the Order. Local Grand Encampments 
determine the number of balls to reject; they also fix 
the minimum price for the Degree, and the lowest rate 
of Dues and Benefits. The Subordinates may select 
by By-laws such amounts over those named as their 
circumstances may warrant. The amount varies from 
three to five dollars and upward. On the death 

* Petitions and Charters for Encampments are similar, in 
form and manner, to those pertaining to Lodges. See p. 55. 
The number of petitioners varies in different States, and fre- 
quently according to the location of existing Encampments. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 113 

o( a Patriarch, also, a sum is appropriated toward assist- 
ing to pay his funeral expenses. 

The elective officers of an Encampment are a Chief- 
Patriarch, High-Priest, Senior Warden, Scribe, Treas- 
urer, and Junior Warden, who are (as are also the 
officers of subordinate Lodges) elected by ballot semi- 
annually. There are several appointed officers (be- 
sides a Sentinel and Guardian), whose duties pertain 
particularly to the assistance required of them at the 
introduction of members : they are appointed semi- 
annually, by the Chief-Patriarch and High-Priest. 

The duty required of the Chief-Patriarch is similar 
to that which is performed by the Noble-Grand of a 
Lodge. 

The duty of the High-Priest is principally to read 
certain lectures pertaining to his office, and to give 
necessary instructions to initiates. He should be a 
man of ability, and of unquestionable morals. 

The Senior Warden is the assistant of the Chief- 
Patriarch, and, in case of that officer's absence, must 
preside over the Encampment. 

The Scribe's and Treasurer's offices are similar to 
those of the Secretary and Treasurer of a Lodge. 

The Junior Warden must assist the Senior Warden 
in the performance of his duties, officiate for him in his 
absence, and perform such other duties as may be 
legally required of him by the Chief-Patriarch. 

The patriarchal branch of the Order is, in the esti- 
mation of many, far more desirable than the initiatory 
branch. Every Odd-Fellow should make it his aim 
to reach the " topmost round of the ladder of Odd- 
Fellowship," the Royal-Purple Degree. No brother 
of good character, however poor he may be, or how- 



114 



ever humble, need be prevented from attaining thus to 
the full stature of an Odd-Fellow. 

We can not conclude this subject without expressing 
our earnest hope that the heads and members of the 
Encampments will read our remarks on the duties of 
subordinate-Lodge officers and members, and that, so 
far as they may apply to them, they will endeavor to 
adopt the advice they contain, with the full assurance 
that the more careful and correct we become as Odd- 
Fellows, either in or out of our Lodges or Camps, the 
more prosperous we shall be ourselves, and the more 
useful we shall become to the world. 

The following is the order of business of an En- 
campment : — 

1. Opening the Encampment. 

2. Calling the roll of officers. 

3. Reading the minutes of last session. 

4. Inquiry whether any Patriarch needs aid or sympathy 

5. Consideration of previous proposals for membership. 

6. Admission of members. 

7. Conferring of Degrees. 

8. Reception of new proposals. 

9. Report of Visiting Committee. 

10. Unfinished business. 

11. New business. 

12. Report of Committee of Finance. 

13. Report of Committee of Correspondence. 

14. Report of Trustees. 

15. Report of Committee of Revision. 

16. Reports of Special Committees by seniority. 

17. Reading of communications, &c. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS* TEXT-BOOK. 115 



STATE GRAND LODGES AND GRAND 
ENCAMPMENTS. 

Five or more subordinate Lodges or Encamp- 
ments, located in any state, district, or territory, where 
a Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment has not been 
established, having seven Past Grands or Past Chief- 
Patriarchs, in good standing, may petition the Grand 
Lodge of the United States for a Charter for a Grand 
Lodge or Grand Encampment; which, if approved by 
a majority of the votes given, will be granted, and or- 
ganized by the Grand-Sire, or some qualified brother 
or Patriarch whom he may appoint for the purpose. 
Such three or more Lodges or Encampments must each 
first appoint one or more of its Past Grands or Past 
Chief-Patriarchs to represent it in a convention, to be 
composed of the several Lodges or Encampments in 
the state, district, or territory, who must consider the 
propriety of applying for a Grand Charter, as well as 
determine on a place or town for the location of the 
Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment. When these 
questions shall be decided (the vote having been taken 
by Lodges or Encampments, and not by the number 
of past officers present in the convention), the rep- 
resentatives must make application in the following 
form : — 



116 THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 



u To the Ft. W. Grand Lodge of the United States, 
of the I. O. of O. F. 

" The petition of blank Lodge [or Encampment] No. 1, 
blank Lodge No. 2, blank Lodge No. 3, of blank, respectfully 
represents, that at present they work under warrants granted 
by your right worthy body ; that at present they have blank 
Past Grands [or Past Chief-Patriarchs] in good standing. They 
are of opinion that it would be of advantage to the Order to 
establish a Grand Lodge [or Grand Encampment] in the state 
of blank. They therefore pray your right worthy body to 
grant a Charter for a Grand Lodge [or Grand Encampment] in 
the state of blank, to be located at blajik. 

" Witness our hands and seals, this blank day of blank, 1851. 

" A. B., Representative of No. 1. 
" C. D., Representative of No. 2. 
"E. F., Representative of No. 3." 

This petition must be accompanied by the charter- 
fee, which is thirty dollars. 

During the recess of the Grand Lodge of the United 
States, the Grand-Sire, Deputy Grand-Sire, and Grand 
Recording Secretary, are authorized to grant dispensa- 
tions to open Grand Lodges or Grand Encampments, 
which must be submitted to the Grand Lodge for ap- 
proval and confirmation when it next meets. 

The Charter or Warrant for a Grand Lodge or 
Grand Encampment, issued by the Grand Lodge of 
the United States, and furnished to a state Grand 
Lodge or Grand Encampment, is expressed as fol- 
lows : — 

-INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS. 

u To all whom it may concern: I, A. B., Most Wor- 
thy Grand-Sire of the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order 
of Odd-Fellows, of the United States of North America, and 



117 



the jurisdiction of the Order thereunto belonging: Friendship, 
Love, Truth. 

" Know vc, that by virtue of the powers in me vested, I do 
hereby authorize and empower our trusty and well-beloved 
fC. D. and others] to constitute a Grand Lodge [or Grand En- 
campment] in the city of blank, and state of blank, to be known 
and hailed by the title of blank. 

" T do further authorize and empower our said trusty and well- 
beloved [C. D. and others] to hear and determine, all and singu- 
lar matters and things relating to the Order within the jurisdiction 
of the said Grand Lodge [or Grand Encampment], according to 
the rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge of the United 
States: Provided always that the said [C. D. and others] pay 
due respect to the Grand Lodge of the United States, and the 
ordinances thereof: and provided also that this Dispensation 
shall be approved at the next session of the said Grand Lodge 
of the United States, otherwise to be of no force or effect. 

" Given under my hand, and seal of the Grand Lodge of the 
United States, at the city of Baltimore, in the state of Maryland, 
this blank day of blank, and of our Order the blank. 

[l. s.] " A. B., Grand-Sire. 

" E. F., Corresponding Secretary." 



GRAND LODGES. 

We have previously stated that Grand Lodges are 
the heads of the Order in a state, district, or territory, 
where they may be established, and that they are insti- 
tuted by and are under the jurisdiction of the Grand 
Lodge of the United States. 'They have the control 
of all the subordinate Lodges under their own jurisdic- 
tions, and enact all laws required for the government 
of such Lodges. They meet either annually or semi- 
annually, for the transaction of business : with one or 
two exceptions, they permit all the Past Grands of 



118 THE ODD-FELLOWS T^XT-BOOK. 

their subordinates the right of speech and vote.* In 
these exceptions the Grand Lodge is composed of one 
or two representatives from each Lodge, each having 
one vote for a certain number of members, and addi- 
tional votes for additional numbers. t 

The Grand Lodge is the supreme tribunal of the 
Order in its jurisdiction. No Lodge can be formed, 
or continue to exist, without its sanction. It has the 
sole right and power to grant or suspend Charters ; to 
receive appeals and redress grievances ; to originate 
and regulate the means of its own support ; and to do 
all other proper acts to promote the interests of the 
Order. 

The elective officers of the Grand Lodge are as fol- 
lows : Grand-Master, Deputy Grand-Master, Grand 
Warden, Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, Grand 
Representatives to the Grand Lodge of the United 
States. 

* Each Grand Lodge consists of all the Past Grands in good 
Standing within its jurisdiction ; but by its constitution it may 
restrict its legislative power to such representative basis as it 
may deem best for the proper transaction of business; but it can 
not abridge the privileges of Past Grands pertaining to their 
rank in the Decrees of the Order, viz. : their right to past-official 
Degrees, eligibility to office, precedence belonging to their grade, 
privilege of attending the meetings of their Grand Lodge, and 
right to vote for Grand Officers. — Digkst, p. 43. 

f The Grand Lodge of Northern New York, whose founders 
were the originators of these " exceptions," allows every Lodge 
of less than fifty members one vote, two votes where the num- 
ber amounts to fifrv, and one vote for each additional fiftv mem- 
bers. One object of the reform intended was a prevention of the 
confusion which might arise in legislation by the rapid increase 
of the Past Grands, who were being admitted as legislators in 
the Grand Lodge of New York at ihe rate of about six hunched 
annually. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 119 

The appointed officers [appointed by the Grand- 
Master] are as follows: Grand Chaplain, Grand Mar- 
shal, Grand Conductor, Grand Guardian, Grand Herald, 
and District Deputy Grand-Masters who have charge 
of the Lodges in counties or other specified localities.* 

These officers are elected and appointed annually. 

The Grand-Master must preside and preserve order, 
and enforce a due observance of the laws of the Insti- 
tution ; give the casting vote in cases of" tie," except 
in those of the election of officers ; and order the pay- 
ment of moneys. He may grant dispensations for con- 
ferring Degrees on a brother who may require them in 
advance of the ordinary time, and confer official or 
other Degrees in person. He must decide all ques- 
tions of law that may arise during the recess of the 
Grand Lodge ; and he must give such instructions in 
the work of the Order as may be necessary. 

The Deputy Grand-Master must support the Grand- 
Master in presiding, and in his absence fill the chair 
for him. In the event of a vacancy in the office of 
Grand-Master, the Deputy Grand-Master becomes Mas- 
ter for the balance of the term. 

The Grand Warden must assist the Grand-Master 
in conducting the business of the Grand Lodge ; and, 
under the Grand-Master, have special charge of the 
door; and in the absence of the Grand-Master and 
Deputy Grand-Master, he must preside. 

The Grand Secretary must make a just and true 
record of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge at every 
session, and transmit, immediately after the close of the 
annual session, to the District Grand-Masters and sub- 
ordinate Lodges, printed copies thereof. He must 
keep the accounts between the Grand Lodge and its 

* In some jurisdictions the D. D. Grand-Masters are elected by 
the Past-Grands at the same time as the Grand officers. 



120 THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 

subordinates, receive all moneys coming to the Grand 
Lodge therefrom, and pay the same over to the Grand 
Treasurer. He must issue all necessary notices and 
circulars to subordinates, and to the District Grand 
Masters and Representatives. He must provide all 
stationery for the use of the Grand Lodge, and super- 
intend such printing as the Grand Lodge may direct. 
He receives such salary as may be ascertained and 
fixed upon at each annual session. He must, previous 
to installation, give bonds to the three first-named Grand 
Officers, in such form and penalty as they may approve 
of, for the faithful discharge of his duties. 

The Grand Treasurer must receive and take charge 
of the moneys of the Grand Lodge ; pay all orders 
drawn on him by the Grand-Master, under the seal of 
the Grand Lodge; make such investment of the funds 
as the Grand Lodge may direct; keep his accounts in 
such a manner as will exhibit the sources and amount 
of receipts, and by whom paid ; the purposes and 
amount of disbursements, and to whom paid ; have his 
accounts closed up on the first day of blank, annually, 
and submit them to the Finance Committee. He must, 
previous to installation, give bonds to the three first- 
named Grand Officers, for the faithful discharge of his 
duty. 

The Grand Representatives must attend the Grand 
Lodge of the United States, and faithfully perform the 
duties of legislators therein. 

The Grand Chaplain must attend the sessions of the 
Grand Lodge, for the purpose of opening and closing 
with prayer. 

The Grand Marshal must assist the Deputy Grand- 
Master in supporting the Grand-Master in the Grand 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 121 

Lodge ; must attend at the installation or organization 
of Lodges ; and have charge of all processions that 
may be ordered or participated in by the Grand Lodge. 

The Grand Conductor must examine the certificates 
of candidates for admission, and introduce such candi- 
dates to the Grand Lodge ; and assist the Grand Mar- 
shal in the discharge of his duties. 

The Grand Guardian must attend the door of the 
Grand Lodge, and permit no improper person to enter. 
At the installation of the officers of Lodges, he must 
have charge of the door of the Lodge. 

The Grand Herald has charge of the outer door, and 
performs such other duties as the laws of his Grand 
Lodge prescribe. 

The District Deputy Grand-Masters must perform? 
in their several districts, the duty of presiding at meet- 
ings for the transaction of business relating to the mem- 
bers in their localities. In other respects, also, they 
perform the duties of a Grand-Master. They must 
confer Degrees and install the officers of the Lodges. 
They must report immediately to the Grand-Master 
any violation, on the part of their Lodges, of the laws 
of the Grand Lodge or of the Order. 

The revenue of a Grand Lodge is derivable from 
charter-fees and assessments on the subordinates. It 
is appropriated to the purpose of defraying the neces- 
sary expenses of the Grand Lodge. 



GRAND ENCAMPMENTS. 

These bodies have control over the Encampments 
of a state, district, or territory, where they may be 
established. They also are instituted by and are under 
the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United 
States. Although not subordinate to a Grand Lodge, 



122 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

yet they can pass no laws excepting such as may relate 
to the government of the Encampments. In all cases 
where precedence is to be observed, they rank below 
state Grand Lodges, which are the supreme legislative 
heads within their respective jurisdictions. 

They usually consist of all Past Chief-Patriarchs 
and Past High-Priests, but in some instances of Past 
Chief-Patriarchs only, within their respective juris- 
dictions. 

The officers of a Grand Encampment are as follows : 
Grand Patriarch, Grand High-Priest, Grand Senior 
Warden, Grand Scribe, Grand Treasurer, Grand Jun- 
ior Warden, Grand Representatives to the Grand Lodge 
of the United States, Grand Sentinels, and Deputy 
Grand Patriarchs for each district. 

In some jurisdictions the Grand Sentinel and Depu- 
ties are appointed by the Grand Patriarch. The other 
officers are elected. 

The Grand Patriarch must preside, and preserve 
order at the sessions of the Grand Encampment; de- 
cide all questions of constitutional law ; receive and 
act on all complaints which may be made to him 
against his deputies or Encampments ; give such in- 
structions in the work of the Order as may be neces- 
sary ; and grant dispensations to subordinates in all 
such consistent matters as he may deem promotive of 
the interests of the Institution. He has supervisory 
authority over the jurisdiction of the Grand Encamp- 
ment. 

The Grand High-Priest must preside in the absence 
of the Grand Patriarch ; and in case that office be- 
come vacant, he has the full powers of Grand Patri- 
arch for the remainder of the term. It is his duty to 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 123 

assist the Grand Patriarch in giving instructions in the 
work. 

The Grand Senior Warden must assist in presiding, 
and in preserving order. In the absence of the Grand 
Patriarch and Grand High-Priest, he must have charge 
of the Grand Encampment. He is the third officer 
of that body : in case of a vacancy in the offices of 
Grand Patriarch and Grand High-Priest, he has the 
full power of the Grand Patriarch for the remainder 
of the term. 

The duties of the Grand Scribe and Grand Treas- 
urer are similar to those of the Secretary and Treas- 
urer of a Grand Lodge. 

The Grand Junior Warden must open and close 
the Grand Encampment according to the regular form. 
He must introduce all new members. 

The Grand Representatives must perform the duties 
of legislators in the Grand Lodge of the United States. 

The Grand Sentinels have charge of the doors, and 
must prevent the admission of any improper person. 

The duties of Deputy Grand-Patriarchs, in the gov- 
ernment of their Encampments, are similar to those of 
Deputy Grand-Masters in the government of their 
Lodges. 

The revenue of a Grand Encampment is derivable 
from charter-fees and assessments on the subordinates, 
and is appropriated to defray necessary expenses. 



124 the odd-fellows' text-book. 



THE GRAND LODGE OF THE UNI- 
TED STATES. 

The Grand Lodge of the United States is the supreme 
head of the Order in the United States of North Amer- 
ica, in the dominion of Canada, in the Sandwich Islands, 
and in Australasia. It has in the year 1870 established 
a Lodge in Germany. All Grand and Subordinate 
Lodges, and Grand and Subordinate Encampments, in 
these countries, are under its jurisdiction and subject to 
its control, and derive their authority from it. It may 
also establish Lodges in any other part of the world. 

The Grand Lodge of the United States is a body 
corporate. It was incorporated by the legislature 
of Maryland in the year 1841. 

It is the ultimate tribunal to which all matters of 
general importance to the State, District, and Terri- 
torial Grand Bodies are to be referred, and its decisions 
thereon are final and conclusive. It possesses the 
power to regulate and control the work of the Order, 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 125 

and the several Degrees belonging thereto, and to fix 
and determine the customs and usages in regard to all 
things which concern Odd-Fellowship. 

Its members are the elected or appointed repre- 
sentatives of Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments, 
and must be members in good standing of their sub- 
ordinate Lodges and Encampments, members of a 
Grand Lodge, and in possession of the R. P. Degree. 
They are elected for two years by their respective 
Grand Bodies. Each G. Lodge or G. Encampment 
of one thousand members or less, is entitled to one 
Representative ; if over one thousand, to two Repre- 
sentatives. Candidates for office must have the same 
standing in the Order as the Grand Representatives. 

The elective officers are, Most Worthy Grand-Sire, 
Right Worthy Deputy Grand-Sire, Right Worthy 
Grand Corresponding and Recording Secretary, and 
Right Worthy Grand Treasurer, and are elected 
biennially by the Grand Representatives, by ballot, 
and by a majority of all the votes cast. They are 
installed at the last day of the session at which they 
are elected. 

The appointed officers are, Right Worthy Grand 
Chaplain, Right Worthy Grand Marshal, Right 
Worthy Grand Guardian, and Right Worthy Grand 
Messenger, who are nominated by the Grand-Sire and 
approved by the Grand Lodge, and are installed 
immediately after the installation of the elective 
officers. 

They may be chosen from any of the Grand Lodges 
or Encampments, and need not be elected Representa- 
tives. Past Grand-Sires are entitled to speak on all 
subjects, but the Representatives only are entitled 



126 THE ODD-FELLOWS 5 TEXT-BOOK. 

to vote, on all questions before the Grand Lodge, in 
the manner following : Each Grand Lodge or Encamp- 
ment having less than one thousand members, one 
vote; and each Grand Lodge or Encampment having 
more than one thousand members, one additional vote. 

It is the duty of the Grand-Sire to preside at the 
sessions of the Grand Lodge, to preserve order, and 
to enforce the laws. He has the casting-vote in all 
cases of " tie." During the recess of the Grand Lodge, 
he has a general superintendence over the interests of 
the Order. He must hold no office in a subordinate 
Grand Lodge, or Grand Encampment, while acting as 
Grand-Sire. 

The Deputy Grand-Sire must aid the Grand-Sire, 
by his advice and assistance, and preside in his ab- 
sence. He must also open and close the meetings of 
the Grand Lodge. 

The Grand Secretary (Recording and Correspond- 
ing) must keep a record of the proceedings of the Grand 
Lodge; keep accounts between the Grand Lodge and 
the Grand and subordinate Lodges and Encampments 
under its jurisdiction ; write all letters and communi- 
cations ; carry on the correspondence of the Grand 
Lodge; and perform such other duties as may be 
required of them. The duties of these two officers 
have been for several years performed by P. G. M. 
James L. Rtdgely, Esq., of Maryland, whose ca- 
pacity and faithfulness have been such as to deserve 
the admiration and thanks of the brotherhood at large. 
As an evidence of the appreciation in which he is held 
by the Fraternity, it is merely necessary to advert to 
the fact thai he has been unanimously elected, year 
pfter year, by the Representatives of the Grand Lodge, 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 12* 

whose constituents have given unmistakable evidence 
of their impression that the loss of his services would 
be a real calamity to the Institution. P. G. Master 
Ridgely has done more for Odd-Fellowship, in these 
United States, than any other brother in the Order. 
He is a man of much intelligence, and of the strictest 
integrity. As long as Odd-Fellowship has a name 
and character (which will be for ever !) he will be 
remembered as its most eminent and competent advo- 
cate and exponent. 

The Grand Treasurer receives all moneys, and 
pays all orders drawn on him by the Grand-Sire. 

The Grand Guardian attends to the admission of 
the members, whom he is required to " prove" before 
he permits them to enter the Grand Lodge. 

The Grand Messenger's duty is to assist the Grand 
Secretary, and perform such other duty as the Grand 
Lodge may require. 

The Grand Marshal, and the Grand Chaplain, must 
perform such duties as are usual to such offices. 

At each annual session of the Grand Lodge, the 
Grand-Sire must appoint in each State, District, or 
Territory (in which there are not a Grand Lodge or 
a Grand Encampment), an officer, to be styled "Dis- 
trict-Deputy Grand-Sire," whose duty it will be to act 
as the special Agent of the Grand Lodge, and perform 
such offices as it may direct. He has a general super- 
vision over all subordinate Lodges and Encampments 
in his district, which work under Charters granted by 
the Grand Lodge of the United States. To qualify a 
brother for this office, he must be a regular contrib- 
uting member of a subordinate Lodge and Encamp- 

9 



128 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

*nent, and must have attained the rank of Past Grand, 
and be a Royal-Purple Degree member. If a Grand 
Encampment has been established in his district, he 
must also be a member of that body. 

The Grand Lodo;e of the United States meets aunu- 
ally, on the third Monday in September, at such 
place as may be designated by itself. A majority 
of the Representatives of the several Grand Lodges 
and Grand Encampments is necessary to constitute a 
quorum for the transaction of business. 

The revenue of the Grand Lodge arises from char- 
ter-fees, dues from Grand and subordinate Lodges and 
Encampments under its jurisdiction, and from the sale 
of books and cards for the use of the Lodges. 

The Grand Lodge of the United States was organ- 
ized February 7, 1821, by a committee of Past Grands 
from Lodges which had been instituted by Thomas 
Wildey, John Welsh, John Boyd, and others, by vir- 
tue of a Dispensation granted to them by the " Duke 
of York's Lodge, holden at Preston, Old England." 
Jt was then called "the Grand Lodge of Maryland 
and of the United States." Subsequently, on the 22d 
of November, 1824, it was established as the Grand 
Lodge of the United States, and the title " Grand 
Lodge of Maryland" dropped. Thomas Wlldey was 
the first Grand- Master; John Welsh, Deputy Grand- 
Master ; William Williams, Sec'y ; and Thomas 
Mitchell, Guardian. At the session in April, 1S26, 
the title of Grand- Sire of the Grand-Lodge of the 
United States was suggested, and in 1828 the Consti 
tution was revised and this title confirmed. From this 
time the Grand Lodge has increased in impoitance, 
and in the number of Odd-Fellows within its jurisdic- 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 129 

tion, until there are under its control (in 1870) 41 
Grand Lodges, 3,867 Subordinate Lodges, with a mem- 
bership of 298,637. There are 35 Grand Encampments, 
with 1,059 Subordinates, and a membership of 56,388. 
The Lodges are represented in the Grand Lodge of the 
United States by 75 votes, and the Encampments by 45 
votes, making a total of 120 votes. 



ORGANIZATION OF LODGES, ETC., AND 
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS. 

Lodges are organized and officers installed by the 
Grand-Master of the Grand Lodge in person, or by 
his Deputy, who must be a Past Grand. He is as- 
sisted by the Grand Officers. If these are not present 
in person, their places may be filled by Past Grands. 
Previous to organization, the brothers applying for the 
Lodge must agree to conform to and support the laws 
of the Grand Lodge and of the Order. Previous to 
the installation of officers, they must be examined by 
the Grand Marshal, whose duty it is to ascertain 
whether they are competent to fill the offices to which 
they have been elected, and who, if the examination 
prove satisfactory, will present them severally to the 
Grand-Master, who will duly install, or cause them to 
be installed. As each appears for this purpose, the 
Lodge is "required to express its satisfaction or other- 
wise of the choice it has made in him, for the informa- 
ation of the Grand-Master, whose province it is to as 



130 THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 

certain whether the election has been regular and prop- 
erly understood. If objection be made to the installa- 
tion of any officer, the Grand-Master will ascertain if it 
be valid, and in case it should, he will immediately 
order a new election, which he will superintend in 
person. After the installation is concluded, the Grand- 
Master will instruct the various officers in their duties, 
and, after having delivered to the Lodge its Charter, 
books, and papers, he must receive (if the Lodge be 
one which has been previously in operation), a correct 
"return" of its membership, its pecuniary condition, 
names of officers past and present, number of Degrees 
conferred, names of brothers suspended or expelled, 
with the causes therefor, and names of persons reject- 
ed, together with the amount of dues to the Grand 
Lodge ; which he is required to forward to the office 
of the Grand Secretary. Such "retuins" should al- 
ways be prepared previous to the attendance of the 
Grand-Master for the purpose of installing, so that they 
may be placed in his hands the moment he calls for 
them. Blank forms for this purpose are furnished in 
ample season to all Lodges, by the Grand Secretary. 
The election and installation of officers of Lodges and 
Encampments occur semi-annually, in January and 
July. 



Encampments are organized and installed by the 
Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment, assisted 
by the Grand Hi<rh-Priest, Senior and Junior War- 
dens, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sentinel. The style 
of their organization and installation (not the for?n) is 
similar to that of Lodges. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 131 

Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments are 
organized by the Grand-Sire or his deputy. Past 
Grand-Officers of these bodies may install the officers 
elect. Previous to installation, such officers must 
agree to conform to and support the rules and laws 
of the Order as adopted by the Grand Lodge of the 
United States. 



Members of Grand Lodges consist of all Past 
Grands in good standing in the subordinates ; they 
are admitted on the authority of certificates granted by 
the Lodges of which they are members ; which certifi- 
cates must specify that the brothers holding them 
have been instructed in the five Degrees, and served 
an elective term in the office of Noble-Grand. 

The members of Grand Encampments consist of 
all Past Chief-Patriarchs, and in some States of all 
Past High-Priests, who are admitted on the authority 
of certificates, specifying that such officers have 
served an elective term as Chief-Patriarchs or High- 
Priests of Encampments. 



132 THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 



AN ODD-FELLOW'S COUNSEL. 



N N I NE CHAPTERS. 



CHAPTER I. 



Man, in this world of misfortune and care, needs 
Brotherhood. In his hours of darkness and trouble, 
he requires a friendly hand to cheer and comfort him. 

How brief, indeed, is his life ! how rapidly his days 
fly ! Soon he will reach that goal whence no traveller 
returns. In his brief journey, should he not be com- 
forted as well as admonished ? 

We are but shadows, floating for a moment over 
time, soon to be dissipated by the light of eternity. 
How often are we called upon to shed the tear of sym- 
pathy over the grave of what was once great and noble, 
fair and lovely ! How often are the ravages of the 
destroyer beheld amid the busy tribes of flesh and 
blood — perhaps in the very circle of relationship and 
friendship — changing joy into sorrow, the fairest spots 
into the gloomiest wastes, and severing the most en- 
deared and tender associations ! Indeed, man is sur- 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 133 

rounded by innumerable mementoes of his mortality. 
To-day he looks upon the coffin of the smiling infant; 
to-morrow he sees the youth, in the bloom of life and 
hope, consigned to an untimely grave ; and again he 
follows one, who, after a long pilgrimage through life, 
has sunk, at length, to rest. Upon his own brow is 
stamped the seal of mortality ; and he is ever reminded, 
by the inroads of decay upon his own system, of that 
time when he shall become a tenant of the tomb. 
" Man cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down ; 
he fleeth as a shadow, and continueth not;" alike in 
the moments of solitude and sadness, when the days 
of other years, and the forms of the departed, long 
buried in the stillness of the tomb, come over the 
mind with the vividness of reality; and in hours of 
triumph and hilarity, when mirth and festivity are in 
the ascendant, he is checked and dismayed by the 
chilling presage of death, and thinks of the time when 
it shall be said of him, that he sleeps the sleep that 
shall know no earthly waking! 

Yet death — which is the effect of stn — if we seri- 
ously meditate upon the solemn admonition it affords, 
will teach us that our hearts should foster no evil — 
evil, which is the bane of society, and the fountain of 
all wrong; the progenitor of crime, hatred, and vio- 
lence, wnose fearful consequences must continue to 
afflict mankind, until the coming of that glorious day 
when — 

" The lambs with wolves shall graze the verdant mead, 
And boys in flowery bands the tiger lead ; 
The steer and lion at one crib shall meet, 
And harmless serpents lick the pilgrim's feet ; 
The smiling infant in his hand shall take 
The crested basilisk and speckled snake — 



*34 THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 

Pleased, the green lustre of their scalps survey, 
And with ihejr Forky tongues shall innocently play 
All crimes shall cease, and ancienl frauds shall fail, 
Returning Justice lift aloft her scale, 
Peace o'er the world her olive wand extend, 
And white-robed Innocence from heaven descend !" 

This will be the era of Universal Brotherhood, 
when the tears and woes of this world will disappear 
before the light of Benevolence and Peace. 

ii 

In the course of years, many solemn changes pass 
before us. Man comes upon the scene of life ; he 
flourishes, prospers, declines, and dies; but, if he be 
observant, he will see and profit by the lessons of life. 
One of these lessons will teach him that the good man 
will never be forsaken by his God, and that even 
his children will reap the advantages of his conduct. 
Thus, David said that he had been young, and was 
now old ; yet he had never seen the righteous for- 
saken, nor his seed begging bread. 

Friendship, Love, and Truth, practised by man toward 
his neighbor universally, would make a paradise of 
this world. Then, indeed, in the language of Pope — 

" No more should nation against nation rise, 
No ardent warriors meet, with hateful eyes, 
Nor fields with gleaming steel be covered o'er, 
The brazen trumpet kindle rage no more ; 
But useless lances into scythes should bend, 
And the broad falchion in a ploughshare end: 
Then palaces should rise ; the joyful son 
Should finish what his short-lived sire begun; 
The vines a shadow to their race should yield, 
And the same hand that sowed should reap the field.*' 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 135 

Friendship, Love, and Truth, if practised faithfully, 
are* a safeguard against the ills of life. If we be actu- 
ated by these motives in all our transactions with our 
fellows, we shall be indeed happy. 



in. 

Good conduct before the world will secure to us 
the esteem of the wise and virtuous. The example 
we show will have an important influence for good or 
ill. Faith and virtue are ever admired, even by the 
bad ; falsehood and vice are despicable, even to those 
who practise them. We must be honest: "an honest 
man's the noblest work of God." In our dealings 
with mankind, and especially with our brethren, we 
should take nothing more than our due; in all things 
we should avoid the very semblance of deception. 
We should be honest to our neighbor by speaking well 
of him — and, if we can not thus speak of him, by 
holding our peace concerning him. The calumniator 
can not be a man of good faith ; he is not to be 
trusted ; he should be shunned as a leprosy. He is 
more to be despised than the thief; for 

44 He who steals our purse steals trash ; 
'Twas ours — 'tis his — and has been slave to thousands; 
But he who filches from us our good name, 
Robs us of that which not enriches him, 
Yet makes us poor indeed." 

IV. 

Men are not always what they seem. We may be 
greatly deceived in them. The poor man, with the 
rough, hard hand, and humble garb, may be good and 



136 

generous, while another, with the manners and appear- 
ance of what the world calls a " gentleman," may 
be base and mean. We should, therefore, judge 
of men by their conduct, not by their appearance 
or profession. He who possesses a humane and 
a benevolent heart — who is willing to do good to 
his neighbor — who closes not his hand against his 
brother, is a true man, be his situation in life ever 
so humble. 

Love is the remedy for all social evils. It is the 
fundamental principle of all good. We should make 
it our aim, our study. He who loves his God and 
his fellow, and by his actions proves his sincerity, is a 
blessing to his race. 

Man, by his own evil passions, brings himself into 
a state of slavery more bitter than any human bondage. 
If he suffer himself to be led captive by them, he must 
at last be dragged to the lowest depths of wretched- 
ness — misery — despair. He should, therefore, if 
under their control, seek to liberate himself from their 
grasp, ere their hold upon him become so firm that it 
can not be shaken. 

Man gropes his way through life in darkness and 
doubt ; his reason and his moral nature are dark ; un- 
til he acquires, by virtuous perseverance, a knowledge 
of himself, his duty, and his destiny. Then the light 
breaks in upon him, and he sees clearly the path he is 
required to tread. 

The objects which so often excite men's passionate 
ambition are, when viewed in the light of mortality, 
so insignificant, that the reflecting mind will turn from 
them with disgust. It is far better to be an humble 
follower of the path of Virtue than to pursue the 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 137 

ignns-fatuvs of Wealth, or Power, o** Pleasure. These 
are evanescent and perishable ; they elude our grasp : 
but Virtue, substantial and everlasting 
present enjoyment, as well as happiness eternal. 



Man is a constituent of one universal Brotherhood, 
having come from the hand of a common Parent. He 
should not, therefore, wrap himself up in self, and 
refuse his good offices to his brother ; for, without that 
brother, what would he be? what could he do? No 
human being can be " independent." 

" God never made an independent man ; 
'T would jar the concord of his general plan." 

Under the comprehensive influence of Friendship, 
Love, and Truth, all the tribes and kindred of the 
earth may meet and concentrate their energies for the 
good of the race of man. By it. all nations, tongues, 
and creeds, may be brought to comprehend the motive 
for Fraternity. 

Fraternity ! This is our corner-stone. Upon 
its solid basis rests our superstructure. It teaches us 
to regard the great family of mankind as our brethren ; 
children of one heavenly Father, the great Author of 
our existence, " in whom we live, and move, and have 
our being ;" and that we should, in our conduct, reflect 
the image of that Father, after whose likeness Man was 
formed. 

Friendship, Love, and Truth! — fit warriors 
against vice in all its forms ! Friendship prompts 
the contest ; Love's gentle influence will supply the 



138 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

weapons ; Truth will consecrate the effort and lead 
to victory. 

Let us engage in this holy war; nor cease our bat- 
tle until the world shall be conquered to our cause, 
and induced to enlist under our banner. 



CHAPTER II. 



I. 



No man, however poor or despised he may be, is 
entirely friendless. The natural affections never com- 
pletely die: sympathy will at least survive, and prompt 
exertion in behalf of the forsaken. Yet the kindly sen- 
sibilities often become blunted by time, and the heart, 
hardened by selfishness, forgets the tenderness with 
which it was wont to regard the sorrows of the dis- 
tressed. 

Association for purposes of benevolence serve to 
banish selfishness, and to keep alive and active the 
kindly sensibilities of the heart, by enforcing an ob- 
servance of social and humane duties. 



ii. 

We must, if we would be men, be sober, temperate, 
and chaste. The drunkard is a curse to himself, his 
family, his friends, and the world. He renders him- 
self wretched in this life, and unfitted for the life here- 
after. The intemperate man is only one step behind 



139 

the drunkard ; if he do not pause, he must shortly 
overtake him. The unchaste man must bring upon 
himself certain disgrace; he is a scandal to his kind, 
and shall be despised by the good and pure. 



in. 



Benevolence diffuses a lustre at once around the 
benefactor and the object of his bounty ; it is a crown 
of glory to the meek and merciful of heart ; and while 
it challenges the admiration of men, must secure the 
favor of him who said, " Blessed are the merciful, for 
they shall obtain mercy." If there is anything that 
tends to exalt man in the scale of sublime virtue, and 
assimilate him to the Divine character, it is this. Be- 
nevolence does not consist in fair words only — it is 
not a mere name, but a deed — it is a duty to be per- 
formed from principle, and not from the excitement of 
mere pity. It will carry us to the abode of the sufferer, 
and it will seek out sensible, ' living objects, with the 
purpose and intention of relieving them, because it is 
a duty so to do. 



IV. 



Brotherly Love shall dwell among those who meet 
for purposes of Benevolence. Kindly sentiments for 
each other and for the world shall be enkindled in their 
hearts, and burn brighter and brighter throughout all 
time. If Benevolence, "Brotherly Love, and Charity, 
dwell in our breasts, and are exemplified in our lives, 
who can reckon the amount of happiness they shall 



140 

bring? The fraternal relation is one around which 
cluster the best feelings of our nature ; and he who 
becomes duly impressed with a sense of the obligations 
of this relationship can neither be controlled by selfish- 
ness nor indifference. In the sacred chain that binds 
us, whatever link is touched by the hand of Violence 
or Corruption, tenth or ten thousandth, breaks that 
chain alike. Let there be no strife, therefore, between 
us, for we are brethren : yea, let us leave off contention 
before it be meddled with. We profess principles 
which shall destroy the stubble and the chaff of dissen- 
sion, and refine the powers and faculties which consti- 
tute the dignity and glory of man. 

Charity springs from the heart ; it softens the affec- 
tions ; it brings to its dispenser pleasures the most sub- 
lime. The poor and the rich love him ; he is honored 
and respected at home and abroad. His home is the 
mansion of peace, and in all its relations he is blessed. 
He who is actuated by the heavenly influence of char- 
ity^ who is deeply imbued with that spirit which not 
only " worketh no ill to its neighbor," but which is 
constantly striving to do that neighbor all the good 
possible — is always pleased with any opportunity that 
may present itself for relieving the destitute. The man 
who has true charity looks upon the world of suffering 
humanity as the objects of his regard and care ; and so 
far as he may have the power or ability to relieve suf- 
fering, he performs the duty with pleasure. 

Nor does Charity aim only at the alleviation of hu- 
man misery. It strives also to prevent un happiness. 
It watches with anxious eye the threatened ill, and 
throws up its protecting hand to avert the danger. It 
hesitates not to step aside from its ordinary course, to 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. J 41 

warn the object of its concern of any evil that may be 
by such friendly warning avoided. It throws its mantle 
over the faults and failings of humanity, and seeks to 
find excuses for those frailties, rather than to hold them 
up to the world's view, to the injury of mankind: for 
it considers that men are at best erring beings, and 
that as such they can not avoid the failings incident to 
poor, weak human nature. In a word, Charity, if its 
impulses were faithfully regarded, would change this 
world of gloom and misery to a paradise ; it would 
lead man to follow that golden rule of doing to others 
"as he would wish others to do to him;" and thus 
might the whole human family become united in the 
bonds of Friendship. He who practises this charity, 
and teaches it to others, shall be crowned with honor, 
and come down to the grave in peace, with the full 
assurance of a blessed future 



CHAPTER III. 



Mutual relief can be afforded by a union of men 
for the purpose of aiding each other in the time of dis- 
tress, danger, or difficulty.. 

A system of mutual relief cultivates the sympathies 
and relieves the woes of men. That shame of depen- 
dence and alms-receiving which tingles in the manly 
cheek, and pierces with sharp agony the heart, is not 
the least of the keen pangs of poverty. Often and long 



142 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

will The natural pride of the sufferer lead him to pine 
and consume in secret, before he will let the world 
know the fact thai the wan cheek and the hollow eye 
have revealed long before. Yea, at times shame will 
drive a man even to crime. He will not beg, be the 
consequences what they may; and the fierceness of 
hunger preying upon our tempted, frail nature, will 
nerve to the commission of foul deeds the soul that a 
short time before would have shrunk with horror from 
the idea. A system of mutual relief will prevent this 
crushing misery, and save the victim of it from despair 
and crime. 



II. 



In an association for mutual relief, men of all classes 
and conditions enter into a covenant, or contract, or 
bargain, to help and support, to protect and defend, to 
advise with and admonish each other. 

In this world of trouble and care, such an associa- 
tion is surely needed ; for the strongest, the wealthiest, 
or the most prosperous man, may, in a moment, be 
crushed by adversity. 

There are many pleasing associations in the idea of 
a covenaM. God himself has made a covenant with 
man ; he has told us that the rainbow is the seal of that 
covenant ; and he thereby assures us, through the pa- 
triarch Noah, that this earth shall no more be deluged 
by the waters. He also entered into other covenants 
with his people — evidences of his love and regard 
for them, amid their murmurings and disobedience, 
which prove the boundlessness of his goodness and 
mercy 



143 

Covenants have existed in all nations, among all 
people. We find them in every walk of life. Men 
bind themselves to each other in various business rela- 
tions : nations make treaties or covenants of peace; 
young men and maidens enter into covenants of mar 
riage. 

These, however, are mere compacts of business: 
the covenant of brotherhood is one more holy and sub- 
lime ; it is designed to remove the obstacles that inter- 
pose betw T een the hearts of men. 



in. 



David and Jonathan pledged themselves in a cove- 
nant of friendship and love, the history of which is 
most interesting and affecting. David, an humble 
shepherd, without title or honors, and Jonathan, the 
son and heir of a powerful Hebrew king, were bound 
to each other in the equality of friendship by a tie 
which no power could sever. When the envious king, 
who was jealous of David, because of his noble and 
daring exploits, sought to kill him, Jonathan warned 
his friend of his danger, and determined to arrest it. 
' Now, therefore, I pray thee," said he to David, " take 
heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret 
place, and hide thyself: and I will go out and stand 
beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will 
commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that 
I will tell thee." And Jonathan, in accordance with 
his covenant, did speak well of David to his father; 
he reasoned with him, and persuaded him, until he 
obtained a promise from him that David should not 

10 



144 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

be slain. And he brought David to his father, and he 
was in his presence as in times past. 



IV. 



But the evil spirit of envy and jealousy came again 
over Saul the king, as he sat in his house with his 
javelin in his hand, and he sought to smite David to 
the wall with his weapon. That night David fled to 
his house, where Saul pursued him ; but he escaped 
by a stratagem of his wife, and went to Ramah, where 
he met the prophet Samuel, who accompanied him to 
Naioth, in Ramah. Saul sent messengers after him 
there, and at length went himself, but the Spirit of 
God constrained both his messengers and himself, and 
protected David. 



David fled from Naioth, and came and said before 
Jonathan, " What have I done? what is my iniquity? 
and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh 
my life?" And Jonathan said unto him, "God for- 
bid ; thou shalt not die : behold, my father will do 
nothing, either great or small, but that he will show it 
me : and why should my father hide this thing from 
me? it is not so." And David sware, moreover, and 
said, " Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found 
grace in thine eyes ; and he saith, ' Let not Jonathan 
know this, lest he be grieved :' but truly as the Lord 
liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step be- 
tween me and death." Then said Jonathan unto 
David, " Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do 



145 

it for thee." And David said unto Jonathan, "Be- 
hold, to-morrow is the new-moon, and I should not 
fail to sit with the king at meat : but let me go, that I 
may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even. 
If thy father at all miss me, then say, ' David earnestly 
asked leave of me, that he might run to Bethlehem, 
his city : for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the 
family.' If he say thus, ' It is well,' thy servant shall 
have peace : but if he be very wroth, then be sure that 
evil is determined by him. Therefore thou shalt deal 
kindly with thy servant ; for thou hast brought thy ser- 
vant into a covenant of the Lord with thee: notwith- 
standing, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; 
for why shouldst thou bring me to thy father?" And 
Jonathan said, " Far be it from thee ; for if I knew 
certainly that evil were determined by my father to 
come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee ?" Then 
said David to Jonathan, "Who shall tell me? or what 
if thy father answer thee roughly ?" 

And Jonathan said unto David, " Come, and let us 
go out into the field." And they went out both of 
them into the field. And Jonathan said unto David, 
" O Lord God of Israel, when I have sounded my 
father to-morrow any time, or the third day, and be- 
hold, if there be good toward David, and I then send 
not unto thee, and show it thee, the Lord do so and 
much more to Jonathan : but if it please my father to 
do thee evil, then I will show it thee, and send thee 
away, that thou mayest go in peace : and the Lord be 
with thee, as he hath been with my father. And thou 
shalt not only while yet I live show me the kindness 
of the Lord, that I die not, but also thou shalt not cut 
off thy kindness from my house for ever : no, not when 



14:6 

the Lord bath cut off the enemies of David every one 
from the face of the earth." So Jonathan made a cov- 
enant with the house of David, saying, " Let the Lord 
even require it at the hand of David's enemies." And 
Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he 
loved him : for he loved him as he loved his own soul. 
Then Jonathan said to David, " To-morrow is the 
new-moon : and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat 
will be empty. And when thou hast stayed three days, 
then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place 
where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in 
hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel. And I will 
shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot 
at a mark. And behold, I will send a lad, saying, 
1 Go, find out the arrows.' If I expressly say unto the 
lad, ' Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee,' take 
'them ; then come thou : for there is peace to thee, and 
no hurt, as the Lord liveth. But if I say thus unto 
the young man, ' Behold, the arrows are beyond thee,' 
go thy way : for the Lord hath sent thee away. And 
as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken 
of, behold, the Lord be between thee and me for 



VI. 



So David hid himself in the field : and when the 
new-moon was come, the king sat him down to eat 
meat. And the king sat upon his seat, as at other 
times, even upon a seat by the wall ; and Jonathan 
arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place 
was empty. Nevertheless, Saul spake not anything 
that day : for he thought, "Something hath befallen 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 147 

him, he is not clean ; surely he is not clean." And it 
came to pass on the morrow, which was the second 
day of the month, that David's place was empty : and 
Saul said unto Jonathan his son, " Wherefore cometh 
not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday nor to- 
iay ?" And Jonathan answered Saul, "David ear- 
nestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem : and he 
said, 'Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a 
sacrifice in the city ; and my brother hath commanded 
me to be there : and now if I have found favor in thine 
eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my breth- 
ren.' Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table." 
Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and 
he said unto him, " Thou son of the perverse, rebel- 
lious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the 
son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the con- 
fusion of thy mother's nakedness ? For as long as the 
son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be 
established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send 
and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die." And 
Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, 
" Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?" 
And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him : whereby 
Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to 
slay David. So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce 
anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month : 
for he was grieved for David, because his father had 
done him shame. 



VII. 



And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan 
went out into the field at the time appointed with 



14:8 

David, and a little lad with him. And he said unto 
his lad, " Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot." 
And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. 
And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow 
which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, 
and said, "Is not the arrow beyond thee?" And 
Jonathan cried after the lad, " Make speed, haste, stay 
not." And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, 
and came to his master. But the lad knew not any- 
thing, only Jonathan and David knew the matter. And 
Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto 
him, " Go, carry them to the city." And as soon as 
the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward 
the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed 
himself three times: and they kissed one another, and 
wept with one another, until David exceeded. And 
Jonathan said to David, " Go in peace, forasmuch as 
we have sworn, both of us, in the name of the Lord, 
saying, ' The Lord be between me and thee, and be- 
tween my seed and thy seed, for ever.' " And David 
arose and departed : and Jonathan went into the city. 



VIII. 

But Saul, bent on destroying David — for nothing 
could appease his malice or disarm his envious jealousy 
— pursued him still. David abode in the wilderness, 
in strongholds, and remained in a mountain in the wil- 
derness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, 
but God delivered him not into his hand. And Jona- 
than went to David into the wood, and strengthened 
his hand in God ; and said unto him, " Fear not, for 
the hand of my father shall not find thee ; thou shalt 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 149 

be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee, and 
that also Saul my father knoweth." And they renewed 
their covenant before the Lord : and David abode in 
the wood, and Jonathan went to his house. 



rx. 

At length (after David had generously spared his 
pursuer, whom he surprised while he was asleep within 
a trench, unarmed and helpless, and Saul, touched 
with this noble conduct, had acknowledged his sin and 
repented of his folly), when Jonathan fell in battle, 
and death had broken the tie which bound these 
friends so indissolubly together, how deeply was the 
heart of David moved ! " O Jonathan !" he exclaimed, 
" thou wast slain in thine high places ! I am distressed 
for thee, my brother Jonathan : very pleasant hast thou 
been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, jwssing 
the love of women /" Ay, " passing the love of women." 
For it was the love of friendship, pure, disinterested, 
holy ; not a passion, but a deep and abiding principle, 
replete with sincerity and truth. In David's breast, 
it did not die with Jonathan's death. It followed 
Jonathan's seed. 



David asked : "Is there yet any that is left of the 
house of Saul, that I may do him kindness for Jona- 
than's sake?" The reply was, that Jonathan had left 
a son, who " was lame on his feet," and David sent 
for him and brought him to his palace (for he was then 
king of Israel). When the poor cripple, whom per- 



150 THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 

haps the world had neglected, came trembling unto his 
father's friend, and fell on his face before him, and did 
him reverence, " Fear not," said the king, " for T will 
surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's 
sake, and will restore thee all the land of Pan! ; and 
thou shalt eat bread at my table continually." And 
he accordingly directed that Jonathan's son should be 
put in possession of all that pertained to Saul and to 
all his house. " Thou, therefore," said he to Ziba, 
one of Saul's and Jonathan's former servants, " and 
thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, 
and thou shalt brino- in the fruits, that thv master's son 
may have food to eat : but Mepbibosheth, thy master's 
son, shall eat bread alway at my table." Now Ziba 
had fifteen sons and twenty servants. Then said Ziba 
unto the king: "According to all that my lord the 
king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant 
do." — "As for Mepbibosheth." said the king, "he 
shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons." And 
Mepbibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. 
And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants 
unto Mephibo=heth. So Mephibo-heth dwelt in Jeru- 
salem ; for he did eat continually at the king's table. 



XI. 

In this narrative of the love of Jonathan and David, 
we have a mo-t hapoy and impressive illustration of 
mutual relief as the result of a covenant. 




A 







THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 151 



CHAPTER IV. 



The man who will sacrifice his ease, his substance, 
01 his life, to serve or save a friend, is truly actuated 
by the spirit of Friendship. There have been those 
who have offered their lives for their friends. There 
was one, also, who, to aid and deliver his persecuted 
race, abandoned all the pleasures and endearments of 
the world, and willingly endured privation, calamity, 
and trouble, through motives of love and friendship 
such as few men have felt or practised. 



ii. 

And God spake all these words, saying, I am the 
Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the 
land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, 
or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, 
or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water, 
under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to 
them, nor serve them ; for I the Lord thy God am a 
jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon 
the children unto the third and fourth generation of 
them that hate me ; and showing mercy unto thousands 
of them that love me and keep my commandments. 

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God 



152 

in vain : for the Lord will not bold him guiltless that 
taketh his name in vain. 

Remember the sabbath-day to keep it holy. Six 
days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work : but the 
seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God : in 
it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, noi 
thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, 
nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates : 
for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the 
sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh 
day : wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath-day, 
and hallowed it. 

Honor thy father and thy mother ; that thy days 
may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God 
giveth thee. 

Thou shalt not kill. 

Thou shalt not commit adultery. 

Thou shalt not steal. 

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neigh- 
bor. 

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou 
shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-ser- 
vant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor 
anything that is thy neighbor's. 

in. 

Our infinite Creator, who is the Soul of all tru& 
Friendship, and the Source of all good ; who is abun- 
dantly worthy of our love ; and who may rightfully 
command our obedience — is the only proper object of 
our worship. He hath said, through the mouth of his 
servant: "If thy brother be waxen poor, and falter 



153 

in decay with thee, then thou shalt relieve him yea, 
though he be a stranger or a sojourner, that he may 
live with thee." 

He requires us to sympathize with our brethren in 
distress, and to relieve them in their time of need. 



IV. 

Bright pages of history, like stars beaming out in the 
midst of the dark and stormy heavens, have reflected 
the lustre of Friendship, and exhibited its beauty. 
Who has not felt a thrill of unutterable sublimity when 
contemplating the heroic friendship of Damon and 
Pythias — the melting affection of Jonathan and Da- 
vid — the noble, self-sacrificing love of the great law- 
giver of the Jews, who chose rather to share the 
wretchedness of his despised countrymen, than to 
enjoy the utmost favor of their powerful oppressors? 
How beautiful, amid the havoc of war and the bar- 
barous customs of the ancient world, shines forth the 
inimitable conduct of Tygranes, a prince of Armenia, 
who, when asked by his conqueror, Cyrus, " What 
ransom do you offer for your life?" replied: "My 
possessions." " What for your wife?" " My life !" 
was the prompt reply. Penetrated by the magnanimity 
of his conduct, Cyrus released him. On retiring from 
the .presence of Cyrus, Tygranes inquired of his wife 
her opinion of the king. "I did not see him," was 
the reply. " Not see him !" cried the astonished prince. 
"No," she replied, "I was so taken up with gazing 
on him who offered his life for my ransom, that I saw 
no one else." 

Friendship is of every clime ; it blooms in every soil 



154 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

of earth ; it sheds its sweets amid the snows of Cau- 
casus, and cheers the Greenlander and Esquimaux, as 
they wander forth among their bleak hills and gaze 
upon the cliffs of their ice-bound shore ; it flourishes 
amid the sand-hills of the desert, and strengthens un- 
der a torrid sun ; its beauties are alike developed 
where winter first puts on her robes of snow, and 
where the green livery of summer is longest worn : 
gilding, by its influence, the darkest hours of human 
adversity ; elevating human nature in the scale of 
being ; giving to the social affections their noblest 
impulses ; and alleviating, though it may not be able 
entirely to remove, the disquietudes and calamities of 
life. As old Memnon, touched by the genial light of 
the morning, sent forth spontaneous music, so does the 
human heart, under the influence of Friendship, until 
the soul feels the concord, and yields her functions to 
the enchantment. Its appeal is the voice of universal 
union to the islands of every sea and the inhabitants 
of every land ; and as it sheds its rays, rendered 
brighter by the teachings of that revealed truth which 
is working its healing miracles in the earth, it will 
exhibit new fields of moral beauty, like islands of 
glory in the sea of darkness, sending up a fragrance 
grateful to rejoicing heaven ; and, like the circlets on 
a summer's lake when agitated by a falling shower, it 
shall extend its borders and enlarge its dimensions, till 
it is lost in one vast circumference of light and life, 
that shall gird the earth around, and grasp in its ample 
embrace the universal family of man. This principle, 
in its personal and most extended bearings, we should 
practise. Men of all languages, of all religions, of the 
remotest nations, and of every habit and opinion, are, 



155 

by its influence, united together in one indissoluble 
bond of brotherly affection. The wild Arab of the 
desert, the haughty Chinese, the rigid Mussulman, the 
pious Christian, the polished courtier, and even the 
untutored savage, who roams his primeval forests free 
as his own mountain eagle, will, through it, greet each 
other as brothers, and do justice to that title by every 
endearing expression of love and good-will. In a 
word, it makes affectionate companions at home, and 
abroad introduces the stranger to a household of 
brothers. 



CHAPTER V. 



Let us not forget the truths we have been thus far 
taught. Let the memory of them be precious in our 
sight. 

Do unto others as thou wouldst they should do unto 
thee; love thy neighbor as thyself; regard all men as 
brethren : the children of the Creator are, in his eyes, 
equal — from the monarch on his throne, to the beggar 
in his rags — and Universal Love is what he requires. 

The selfishness of mankind needs correcting. How 
many noble spirits have been quenched by the opera- 
tion of the world's selfishness; how many bold aspira- 
tions checked ; and how much misanthropy and ruin 
produced ! 

To cultivate a generous spirit of kindness — to wake 
up the sympathies and purge the heart from its selfish- 



156 

ness — is the noblest mission in which man can engage, 
and he who would place an obstruction in the way of 
such a pursuit, can never have well learned the lessons 
of Friendship and Love. He who is bound up in the 
iron chain of Bigotry — who is fettered by the influ- 
ence of human creeds — whose head is filled with self- 
conceit — has a heart tame, cold, and indifferent, and 
will neither bind up the wounds of the stranger, nor 
give shelter to the outcast, unless they yield them- 
selves to his dictation. 

Wherever man is found, in whatever situation of 
life, he bears his Maker's image ; he is immortal ; and, 
however poor, or even degraded, he may be, in his 
soul are the signs of human equality. If thou canst 
do aught to promote his happiness, then, or canst 
relieve his wants, do it : it is thy duty. If there be 
a scheme of good, designed to meliorate his condition, 
engage in it with all thy heart, remembering that he 
for whom thou art laboring is thine own Father's son. 
Pause not to inquire his creed or his faith, his title or 
his condition ; but consider, that, with all his errors or 
imperfections, he is thy brother. 

If men would all act thus, how soon would the lost 
communion with heaven be restored, and the reign of 
Love, Peace, and Joy, be perfected on earth ! 

ii. 

Divine Wisdom teaches us to love Mercy and 
Truth — to write them on the tablets of our hearts — so 
that we may find favor and good understanding in the 
sight of God and man. It teaches that the fear of the 
Lord is to hate evil ; that pride, and arrogance, and the 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 157 

evil way, and the froward month, are to be avoided. 
They that keep the ways of Divine Wisdom shall be 
blessed. They that will hear her instruction, and are 
w i S e — who watch daily at her gates, awaiting her ap- 
proach — shall find her, and live, and obtain favor of 
the Lord : but they that sin against her, by refusing to 
seek her, wrong their own souls ; and, in hating her, 
shall perish. 

hi. 

Love your enemies ; bless them that curse you ; do 
good to them that hate you ; and pray for them which 
despitefully use you and persecute you : that ye may 
be the children of your Father which is in heaven ; for 
he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, 
and sendeth the rain on the just and on the unjust. For 
if you love them which love you, what reward have 
ye? Do not even the publicans the same? And if 
ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than 
others? Do not even the publicans so? 

IV. 

Permit not prejudice to control thee in thy dealings 
with thy fellow. 

Blemish not thy good deeds by using uncomfortable 
words when thou helpest thy brother. Shall not the 
dew assuage the heat? So is a word better than a 
gift. Lo ! is not a word better than a gift? but both 
are with a gracious man. A fool will upbraid churl- 
ishly, and a gift of the envious consumeth the eyes 
Learn before thou speak : before judgment, examine thy 
self, and in the day of visitation, thou shalt find mercy. 



158 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

When thou hast enough, remember the hungry; 
and think upon poverty and need. 

Rehearse not unto another that which is told unto 
thee, and thou shalt fare never the worse. Whether 
it be to friend or foe, talk not of other men's lives ; 
and if thou canst without offence, reveal them not. 
If thou hast heard a word, let it die with thee; and be 
bold — it will not burst thee. 

Admonish a friend; it may be he hath not done it; 
and if he have done it, that he do it no more. x\d- 
monish thy friend ; it may be he hath not said it ; and 
if he have, that he speak it not again. Admonish a 
friend; for many times it is a slander; and believe 
not every tale. There is one that slippeth in his 
speech, but not from his heart ; and who is he that 
hath not offended with his tongue? Admonish thy 
neighbor before thou threaten him ; and not being 
angry, give place to the law of the Most High. 



v. 

A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jeri- 
cho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his 
raiment, and wounded him ; and departed, leaving him 
half dead. And by chance there came down a certain 
priest that way; and when he saw him, he passed by 
on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he 
was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed 
by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan [of a 
race which the priest and Levite despised], as he 
journeyed, came where he was ; and when he saw 
him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and 
bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and 



159 

set him on his own beast, and brougbt him to an inn, 
and took care of him. And on the morrow, when he 
departed, be took out twopence, and gave them to the 
host, and said unto him, " Take care of him : and 
whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I 
will repay thee." 

Which now of these three was neighbor unto him 
that fell anion" thieves ? 



VI. 



Justice, temperance, and charity, are the duties of 
all men. We should be just in our dealings with our 
brethren and with the world. We should be industri- 
ous and honest. We should be kind in our demeanor 
to all with whom we have intercourse ; we should com- 
passionate sorrow ; we should bind up the broken heart, 
comfort the disconsolate, and dry the tears of the be- 
reaved. 

We should be temperate. Wine is a mocker, strong 
drink is raging ; and whoever is deceived thereby is 
not wise. The drunkard shall suffer many grievous 
evils, and come to poverty and rags. 

We should be charitable, by doing with promptness 
and alacrity all the good in our power to our fellow- 
men. We should teach charily to others, by both pre- 
cept and example. Charity suffereth long, and u 
kind ; charity envieth not ; charity vaunteth not itself, 
is not puffed up. doth not behave itself unseemly, seek 
eth not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no 
evil ; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the 
truth ; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth 
all things, endureth all things. Charity never failelh. 

11 



1G0 THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOR. 



CHAPTER VI. 



The mild and heavenly radiance of Truth will 
light man's steps, through the benighted paths of error, 
to the lustre of unclouded day. 

Truth is that grand virtue which deals plainly and 
honestly in all actions, without disguise, without false- 
hood, and without hypocrisy ; it comprehends all that 
is wise and good ; it is the vital spirit of every commu- 
nity which is well founded among men. Where the 
name of God is sanctified, where his ordinances are 
duly attended, where good laws are enacted against 
immorality, and those laws diligently executed — in 
short, where that celebrated rule is the standard of 
dealing, that every man do to others as he would they 
should do to him — these people may be truly said to 
execute judgment and seek after the truth. What 
eulogiums does not the world give, and give deserv- 
edly, to the lovers of truth ? The man that does good, 
and speaks truth, resembles the Deity, whose essential 
properties are goodness and truth ; when a man has 
acquired a reputation for veracity, his word is taken 
implicitly — it has all the authority of an oath — and 
all receive what he says with a sort of religious re- 
spect. No man is greater in truth than he is in God's 
esteem. 

Truth presents us with a rule to ascertain what Vir- 
tue is, and guides us into its personal possession. 
Virtue is the voluntary homage we pay to Truth, 







MTTHBL 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 161 

which thus becomes the basis of Virtue. Truth is 
essentially the only foundation of confidence, and con- 
fidence is the only bond of association among the wise, 
the good, and the intelligent. To it we are indebted 
for the whole sum of happiness enjoyed in time. 

Truth mingles its unclouded perceptions of duty 
with the generous grasp of Friendship and the sympa- 
thizing voice of Love. It is the great law of theii 
being and mainspring of their action. Its robe is the 
spotless vestment of sincerity, snow-white and lustrous , 
it is an attribute of Deity, and has been made attaina- 
ble to man, that his race might be blessed and im- 
proved. Without it, society is like a world without a 
sun. There are the towering mountains, the broom-clad 
vale, the gushing fountain, the broad expanse of ocean 
lifting its foam-crested billows to the embraces of the 
skies, and laving with its waters the golden sands of a 
hundred isles : but over all rests the deformity of dark- 
ness. The mountain has no greenness; the lovely 
flower and the enamelled vale wear the hue of death ; 
the waters sparkle not, and the golden sands on their 
island-gems send forth no lines of reflected light! 
Truth rises like the day-god upon the scene, and every 
object is flooded with beauty and loveliness ; and a 
blessed influence is breathed through every portion of 
society. These three duties — Friendship, Love, and 
Truth — indissolubly joined in + he teachings of our 
lessons, furnish the broad foui Jation upon which is 
erected those extensive plans of relief which distinguish 
associations formed for the purpose of uniting men in 
the bonds of brotherhood. 

How vivid the contrast exhibited between the abodes 
of Error and those delightful habitations where Truth 



162 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

reigns in its unclouded beauty, and every tongue and 
every heart sweetly think and speak under the influ- 
ence of its teachings ! United in bonds of kindred 
feelings, Truth is, by every member of this vast and 
happy Brotherhood, loved, studied, embraced, and 
spoken, for ever ; and Confidence springs up in the 
soul, and claims its pure mansion as an eternal resi- 
dence. Friendship, twin-sister of Confidence, joins 
hand in hand with deathless grasp ; while Love, with 
links of holy Brotherhood, binds heart to heart in puri- 
fied communion. From heaven God looks down with 
complacency, and sheds over all in rich profusion the 
enduring blessings of his favor. 



ii. 



A Fraternity whose broad foundation is Universal 
Brotherhood ; which opens its doors of relief and sym- 
pathy to all ; which teaches the sacred and sublime 
sentiments of Friendship and Love, and clothes its 
adherents with the dignity of Truth — will be owned 
of Heaven, and shall confer incalculable benefits on 
mankind. 

Let us, then, be true to our professions. Let our 
walk and conversation in life be such that the world 
shall be compelled to acknowledge the sublime theory 
we teach. Thus shall we live in the enjoyment of the 
blessed consciousness of having performed our duty to 
our Maker and our kind ; and when the hour comes 
for us to leave this earth and join the vast Brotherhood 
beyond it, we shall be able to look back upon a life 
well spent, aiid prepared to meet Him who has (aught 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 163 

us that love for our brethren here is a duty incumbent 
on the children of one heavenly Father. 



CHAPTER VII. 



Prejudice imposes upon the minds of men restraints 
which lead to unnecessary ill feeling, and prevent that 
union of hearts which is essential to true happiness. 

Hospitality to the stranger is a duty enjoined by 
God, who teaches us that, as he is the Father of aL 
men, we are not to pause to inquire our brother's faith, 
or creed, or nation, before we render him the sympathy 
or aid he may need. 

God's commandments, as delivered by him to Mo- 
ses, embrace every duty required of us by our Maker. 
He who obeys these, may claim to be a true man. 



ii. 

Virtue is the rule by which our lives should be gov- 
erned. " The good alone are great." Virtue can 
never die. It will live and flourish throughout the 
eternal ages of God. When green wreaths shall have 
faded, and glorious monuments of human skill have 
perished — when the weapons of victorious battle shall 
have been broken, and the sound of the poet's lyre 
have died away for ever — Virtue will stand, high 
above all earthly power and fame, the essence of all 



L64 

that is good, and great, and glorious. "Virtue alone 
is happiness below." It gives joy which none but he 
who practises it can understand. Its influence is felt 
an4 acknowledged even by the bad. It will be the 
crown of age, the honor of manhood, the guardian of 
youth ; it will be our guide in prosperity, and so>lace 
in affliction. It will give us here on earth the truest 
happiness, and prepare us for the future state of being 
to which we are hastening. 



in. 



The patriarchs of old, who dwelt in tents and passed 
their lives in the inculcation of the social virtues, were 
a happy because they were a good people. The world 
would be better and happier were it to practise now 
the simplicity and purity of these simple-minded and 
truly-honest men. They were united as one family: 
no jealousy, discord, or envy, interfered among them 
to make them discontented or miserable. Pride — 
that bane of humanity — had no existence among them. 
Hospitable, generous, loving, and faithful, their exam- 
ple is one which we may and ought earnestly to follow. 

He who succors the distressed ; who gives food and 
rest to the hungry and weary ; who comforts the bro- 
ken-hearted, and raises the fallen, shall enjoy a pleas- 
ure far more desirable than wealth, or power, or fame. 

If our brother offend us, let us remember that he is 
weak and erring, like ourselves, and that it is far better 
to treat him kindly, and to tell him of his fault in the 
spirit of friendship, than to rise up against him in the 
spirit of hatred, and attempt to crush instead of to 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 165 

reform him. If he repent, let us forgive him. " To 
err, is human ; to forgive, Divine." 

He who will not act thus is no true Odd-Fellow. 
He may dwell among us; he may be elevated to tho 
highest rank ; he may be regarded as rich, or wise, or 
talented : but none of these can make him an Odd- 
Fellow in the true meaning of the title. If he be, as a 
man, implacable and malicious, he can not be a friend 
or a brother. 



CHAPTER VIII. 
I. 

" All things whatsoever ye would that men should 
do unto you, do ye even so unto them." 

Shall a man, a unit in the universal kingdom of 
God, stand aloof from his fellow-unit because he may 
not be of the same faith or nation as himself? Nay! 
The question must not be, " Is he a Christian, or is 
he a Jew, or a Mohammedan? is he a European, or 
an American, an Asiatic or African?" but, "Is he a 

MAN AND A BROTHER?" 

Human prejudice and intolerance are and have ever 
been the causes of more misery in the world than all 
other evils combined. Be it our duty to destroy their 
power, by asserting and maintaining the high birthright 
of humanity — by regarding and treating our brother 
as our equal, the child of our own benevolent Father, 
created in like form and bearing the same image as 
ourselves. 



166 the odd-fellows' text-book. 



II. 

Let us "be just, and fear not." Let us be honest. 
Let us never hesitate to avow our principles. Let not 
fear of man induce us to falsehood. Conscience should 
be permitted always to govern us ; and as it directs, so 
should we ever act. 

The evils that afflict our brother should be regarded 
as in a measure our own. If we injure him, we shall 
also injure ourselves. Whatever directly affects a 
member of the body, must remotely affect the entire 
structure. Man's misfortunes are our misfortunes, and 
his sufferings are ours. 



in. 

Mankind are divided into numerous sects and par- 
ties, each of which holds opinions peculiar to itself; 
and, however absurd, or even ridiculous, each may 
seem to the other, its adherents are mostly sincere and 
firm in their belief. The Christian's faith in Christ is 
not* more earnest and positive than the Jew's in his 
expected Messiah, the Mohammedan's in his prophet, 
or that of the Chinese in the object he worships as a 
representation of the Deity. All these, though holding 
opinions the very antipodes of each other, are satisfied 
that they are correct, and can produce arguments in 
support of their theory, which, in the estimation of 
those who practise it, are clear and conclusive. 

Christendom is itself divided into scores of sects 
and parties, many of which, though they profess to 
agree on the most important principles of Christianity, 



167 

are so heartily opposed to each other, that they are in 
constant controversy ; and to the disgrace of that pure 
and peaceable spirit of love by which they claim to be 
governed, they too often conduct their disputes with a 
bitterness and rancor that would much better become 
the men of " the world" than the servants of One whose 
gentleness and forbearance were among the most prom- 
inent characteristics of his eventful career on earth : 
for he not only exhibited in his own person the utmost 
forbearance toward those who were opposed to him, 
but gave the most positive directions to his followers 
to love even their enemies, and to extend to all men 
the rights which they claimed for themselves. 

As no two countenances among the thousand mil- 
lions of the race of man now on earth are alike, so 
perhaps no two in this vast multitude of minds think 
alike, difference of opinion, on religious subjects es- 
pecially, has always existed, and will be likely to con- 
tinue to divide the hearts of men until the reign of the 
sublime principle of Universal Brotherhood shall have 
been established on earth. Should we despise our 
brother for this " difference" ? Nay ! for he has the 
same right as ourselves to the enjoyment of his pecu- 
liar opinion, and may maintain it in opposition to the 
opinions of the whole world. 



IV. 



" God is no respecter of persons." St. Peter said 
to Cornelius and others who had assembled to hear 
him : " Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a 
man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one 



16S THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 

of another nation; but God hath showed me that I 
should not call any man common or unclean." God 
had exhibited to Peter, in a vision, that what He con- 
sidered as worthy of regard, man should not shun or 
despise. He had taught him, in a manner which, as a 
Jew, he could not misapprehend, the sacred principle 
of Toleration. 



When the golden rule shall have exerted its power, 
and obtained its dominion over the world, men of all 
creeds and nations shall sit together in love, and the 
light of knowledge and of pleasure shall shine around 
and about them. Then the descendants of Abraham, 
and the followers of the Crescent, and the worshippers 
of Christ, shall commingle in one happy family, know- 
ing no diversity of faith or creed. Then a calm repose 
shall have come upon the elements of strife : " no sigh 
nor murmur the wide world shall hear," and the tears 
of sorrow shall be changed to those of joy. Then shall 
man hail his brother with fraternal greetings : then 
shall Falsehood be driven from the earth, and the race 
of Adam form a universal band of Brotherhood: then 
shall one law — and that the law of Love — bind the 
nations by a golden chain which no power of darkness 
can ever break asunder. 



VI. 



Let us exert our utmost endeavors to hasten this 
*nost desirable period. Let us conquer the world to 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 169 

its own peace, by compelling it to aid us to establish 
the glorious reign of the Golden Power. 

The globe is the field of our labor. We should not 
pause in our efforts until the whole world shall be 
made happy. We should carry our Benevolence and 
Friendship into every corner of the wide earth, and 
into the remotest islands of the sea. 



CHAPTER IX. 



I. 



We live in a world of change, of sorrow, and of 
pain : the emblems of decay and death are thick around 
us ; the stout arm of roseate health falls powerless be 
fore the ravages of disease. The strong and the mighty, 
who to-day " laugh at the shaking of a spear," and defy 
the tempest and the storm, may to-morrow be as help- 
less as the puny infant on its mother's breast. He 
who stands forth, nerved to toil, with the bloom on his 
cheek, vigorous as the oak of Bashan, may soon " fade 
as a leaf." We are subject to sickness, to misfortune, 
and to death. 

But we must struggle on, though beset with danger, 
toil, and strife, through the wilderness of this world, 
to our destiny. Let us therefore be stout of heart, 
and determine, through faith and energy, to overcome 
the obstacles that lie in our path. Let not fear or dis- 
couragement cause us to turn back, after we shall have 
once entered upon our journey. Let us take Honesty 



170 THE ODD-FELLOWs' TEXT-BOOK. 

for our guide : however rough or uncouth he may 
seem, or whatever abuse may be heaped upon him by 
those who love him not, if we cling to him and follow 
him, he will assuredly bring us at last to a peaceful 
and pleasant abode. 

II. 

Life's journey is indeed eventful. It is full of diffi- 
culties. We must beware how we proceed in it. 
We must take the true path, as pointed out by our 
guide. Straight is the gate, and narrow the way, 
that leadeth to life: alas! there be comparatively 
few that go that way ! — but along the broad path that 
leadeth to destruction, what multitudes rush ! Yet, 
throughout and at the end of the one are peace, and 
joy, and pleasure; while in the other, beautiful though 
il ma)' seem lo the eye, are turmoil, and sorrow, and 
pain. Death in its most frightful shapes — not physi- 
cal, but moral death — lurks constantly by the wayside ; 
and the (lends of darkness skulk at every turn, to lead 
and drag their victim to ruin and despair. Brother! 
take the narrow path ; it will lead thee to bliss : pursue 
not the broad road, enticing though it be; it will lead 
thee to perdition. Follow thou thine honest guide, 
who will shun the siren way as he would the pestifer- 
ous breath of the fiends of hell ! 



in. 

The road through which thou art journeying may 
be a rough one. Difficulties may crowd around thee 
10 impede thy progress. The path may be tilled with 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 171 

obstacles that would intimidate a weak spirit. Indeed, 
at times, it may be a cheerless and dreary way. It 
may be, even, that in following it, poverty and want 
shall beset thee: but keep up thy spirit; look not at 
present ease, which is but for a moment, but rather at 
fui ure rest, which shall be everlasting. Turn not to 
the right hand nor to the left ; make no false step in 
thy career; avoid the darkness of error: be thou a 
tiiue MAN, and act as such. 



IV. 

Brother! if thy heart be stout and thy faith bold, 
thou shalt make thy way to the glorious goal thou seek- 
est. Yet, the farther thou proeeedest on thy journey, 
the more the energies of thine enemies will be put 
forth to entice thee to thy ruin. The pleasures of the 
world, in the forms of Mirth and Revelry, of Wine and 
Woman, of Pride and Ambition, of Wealth and Power, 
of Worldly Fame and Glory, will be presented before 
thee in their most tempting blandishments. Oh, heed 
them not! they will afford thee an uncertain and brief 
pleasure, and forsake thee in thine hour of greatest 
need. They will leave thee when thou shalt most 
require consolation, and abandon thee to a repentance 
that shall be too late to serve thee, and a despair that 
shall be full of horror ! 

Thy time, indeed, is too brief to permit of thy de- 
laying to dally with the pleasures that surround and 
entice thee. Behold how soon the years are gone! 
behold how rapidly thou art travelling! The light of 
life with thee is already waning — soon thou must ter- 
minate thy journey. 



172 



v. 



Brother ! cheer thee ! Thou hast done well ; thou 
art far on thy toilsome way. The impediments and 
the incitements thou hast overcome are in the distance ; 
thank Heaven ! thou hast pressed nobly through them. 
But, alas ! how many, ere they come thus far, sink 
under the difficulties, or embrace the sirens that crowd 
thick about them ! Thou mayst indeed " thank God 
and take courage." Thou hast learned and attained 
much through perseverance and firmness. Thy prog- 
ress now shall be more calm : thy foes shall abandon 
thine as a hopeless case. Thou hast passed the criti- 
cal point, and shalt henceforth proceed more safely. 
So is it with all who commence this journey betimes ; 
who set out early for the goal of Virtue and of true 
Happiness : the longer they delay, the greater the dan- 
ger I at they shall perish ere they shall attain to the 
point to which thou hast arrived. Thou mayst not 
know all that is yet before thee. Thou shalt feel 
nevertheless, in the midst of thy darkness, that thy 
Father will not forsake thee. And though a storm 
more fearful than any thou hast yet encountered — that 
of physical death — shall soon burst upon thee, the 
hand of God Almighty, which has sustained thee thus 
far, will protect thee amid that storm, and thou shalt 
come up through it with joy and gladness to the land 
of eternal delight. 

In that glorious Rest, thou shalt behold the innu- 
merable hosts who have travelled this path before thee. 
Thou shalt join "the Patriarchs of the infant world," 
and mingle thy voice with theirs in the music of the 
angels. Thou shalt dwell in the presence of the Most 



THE ODD-FELLOWS 1 TEXT-BOOK. 173 

High, whose smile is heaven. Throughout the eter- 
nal ages of Jehovah thou shalt he the associate of 
angels and just men made perfect, in a land where, far 
more than in this, Faith and Truth are lovely and 
divine. 

VI. 

Whoever travels the road that we have thus de- 
scribed, must expect to he ill treated by the world. 
The wicked and perverse are ever ready to sneer at 
and discourage the good and the true. Yet we must 
endure this contumely with patience ; we should rather 
pity than despise the benighted beings who treat with 
scorn the dignity of virtue. Are they not objects of 
pity? They are pursuing the false and flattering 
charm of earthly pleasure, which, when they attempt 
to grasp it, vanishes from their presence. Frail mor- 
tals that they are, knowing not what a day or an 
hour may bring forth, encompassed with peril on every 
side, with the seeds of disease implanted in their na- 
ture, and the very air they breathe impregnated with 
death — fading as a leaf, and passing as the shadow 
that fleeth away — let us force them from the frightful 
precipice on which they are standing, and, by the 
pow r er of friendship and love, compel them to fly from 
their impending danger, ere it be too late for ever. 

VII. 

Brother ! let the character and conduct of the Pa- 
triarchs of old, as exhibited in the Bible, be thy study, 
and, in all their good deeds, be thou their imitator. 
They were, amid the idolatry and temptation which 



174 THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 

surrounded them, sincere worshippers of the God 
whom thou shouldst also adore. Amid the base cor- 
ruptions of the world, that beset them on every hand, 
they were ever true and faithful to him : so sbouldsl 
thou be. They were devoted to all that was worthy 
of frail man's consideration : so oughtest thou to be. 
They lived not alone for themselves, but for their age 
and for their race in all future time : so shouldst thou 
live. The possession of virtue such as theirs is far 
preferable to all the power or glory that this world 
might bestow. It will afford thee higher and truer 
pleasure than could be derived from the possession of 
the wealth and the honor that all the money or earthly 
fame of a thousand worlds like this could heap upon 
thee. Follow, then, their example, and, like them, 
be wise, and good, and happy. 



VIII. 

Trust God with the most unfaltering confidence. 
Thou mayst do so unhesitatingly: the patriarchs trust- 
ed him, and were never once deceived. Brother, let 
thy Faith be firm and steadfast, and no good thing 
will thy Father withhold from thee. Thou shalt not 
ask in vain : He will hear and answer thee when thou 
entreatest his aid and presence. Do thou sacrifice 
thine own will on the altar of truth and confidence, 
and in the spirit of Faith approach thy Maker, and 
thy days shall be sweet and precious ; thy peace shall 
flow like a river; thou shalt be blest in thy downsit- 
ting and thine uprising, at thy labor and at thy home, 
and no ill of life, however afflicting, shall disturb thy 
mind's repose. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS 9 TEXT-BOOK. 175 



IX. 

" Faith," says Si. Paul, " is the substance of things 
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it 
the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we 
understand that the worlds were framed by the word 
of God, so that things which are seen were not made 
of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered 
unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by 
which be obtained witness that he was righteous, God 
testifying of his gifts ; and by it he being dead yet 
speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated, that he 
should not see death ; and was not found, because God 
had translated him ; for before bis translation he had 
this testimony, that he pleased God. But without 
faith it is impossible to please him. By faith Noah, 
being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved 
with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house ; 
by the which he condemned the world, and became 
heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith 
Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place 
which he should after receive for an inheritance, 
obeyed ; and he went out not knowing whither he 
went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, 
as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with 
Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same 
promise ; for he looked for a city which hath founda- 
tions, w T hose builder and maker is God. By faith 
Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac. By 
faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things 
to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, bles- 
sed both the sons of Joseph ; and worshipped, leaning 

12 



176 

upon the top of bis staff. By faith Joseph, when he 
died, made mention of the departing of the children 
of Israel ; and gave commandment concerning his 
bones. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, 
refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 
choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of 
God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season : 
by faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the 
king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 
By faith the Israelites passed through the Red sea, as 
by dry land, which the Egyptians essaying to do were 
drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, 
after they were compassed about seven days. And 
what shali I say more ? for the time would fail me to 
tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and 
of Jephthae, and of David also, and of Samuel, and 
of the prophets ; who through faith subdued kingdoms, 
wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the 
mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped 
the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made 
strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the 
armies of the aliens. Women received their dead 
raised to life again : and others were tortured, not ac- 
cepting deliverance ; that they tnight obtain a better 
resurrection : and others had trial of cruel mockings 
and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprison- 
ment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, 
were tempted, were slain with the sword ; they wan- 
dered about in sheepskins and goatskins ; being desti- 
tute, afflicted, tormented : (of whom the world was not 
worthy .) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, 
and in dens and caves of the earth." 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 177 



AN ODD-FELLOW'S COUNSEL. 

[CON C LCD ED.] 



No man can reflect upon his admission to the mys- 
teries of Odd-Fellowship, and his advancement through 
its various degrees, without feeling the force of the 
truth that "Virtue alone is happiness below." When 
we speak of virtue here, we use it as a generic term, 
including every disposition and every duty inculcated 
at our altars. 

We have endeavored, in the preceding pages, to lay 
before our brethren of the Order a synopsis of the great 
principles of our institution, and the duties we are, as 
Odd-Fellows, pledged to practise. Never, we trust, 
will subjects less ennobling displace from our ritual 
these rich teachings — never may the foul footsteps of 
a recreant Odd-Fellow pollute our temple — never may 
its walls echo to the voice of violated obligations and 
slighted vows ! 

Brethren, the task imposed upon you, while it is 
honorable and dignified, is responsible and arduous ; 
and it is only by an observance of those rules, which 
our founders in their wisdom have ordained, that you 
will acquit yourselves in such a manner as to obtain 
the approval of each other and the approbation of your 



178 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

own hearts. To effect a consummation so devoutly 
wished, cultivate temperance ; shun as the second 
death the intoxicating draught — it may do harm — i-t 
can not do good. Odd-Fellowship most impressively 
forbids intemperance ; the public voice demands ab- 
stinence ; benevolence unites with public opinion, and 
duty commands obedience. No Odd-Fellow can be 
intemperate without violating his engagements, and no 
Lodge can retain in her bosom a member guilty of in- 
toxication, without shamefully violating that truth to 
the maintenance of which we are all pledged. 

Another important prerequisite to the performance 
of the duties required of us, is chastity of mind ; and 
here we would enjoin the repudiation of all licentious 
pursuits. No unchaste mind can realize the duties of 
Friendship, experience the lofty emotions of Love, or 
discharge the obligations of Truth. In this connec- 
tion we may refer to that unbecoming practice so to- 
tally disreputable 10 Odd-Fellows, profane swearing, 
as a fruitful agency in destroying chastity of mind. — 
Confessedly an idle habit, by indulgence it becomes 
fixed, the name of God is profaned wantonly, and the 
ear of decency shocked by the blasphemy. No true 
Odd-Fellow should thus act: how can he, when he 
remembers his duty to his God, and that the All-see- 
ing Eye is fixed upon him ? If any should so far for- 
get his duty as to indulge in these things, we should 
caution him of his danger ; and if he still persist in a 
course of evil, regardless of his duty, " let him be as a 
heathen man and a publican :" yet let us do our duty 
— and from his broken and disregarded vows shall 
arise a voice, loud as the seven-fold thunder, proclaim- 
ing to his recreant heart, " Remember thy end I" 



179 



ii. 

What is the object of Odd-Fellowship, and what is 
the influence it should exert upon us? We need not 
be told that its chief object, is chanty. But charity, in 
a pecuniary sense, is, in our view, one of the least im- 
portant of its objects. It has higher aims ; it has no- 
bler ends. It cultivates the charities of life. Its ten- 
dency is, to remove the barriers which an artificial 
society has thrown around its members ; to tear away 
the film of repulsion which we find to exist in the 
world, and to make us feel and act toward each other 

as BRETHREN. 

The causes that have been at work to separate man 
from his neighbor are various. They seem to have 
existed since the fall of our first parents, and are co- 
eval with the existence of sin. Jealousies, heart- 
burnings, and contentions, which were first exhibited 
in the factious spirit of Cain, have ever since existed, 
and still are found in the bosoms of all the children of 
earth. " Mountains interposed have oftentimes made 
enemies of nations that had else, like kindred drops, 
been mingled into one." Do we not speak truly when 
we say that a state of warfare is an unnatural condition 
of man ? Men were not born to be enemies to each 
other. For God is not an enemy to man. The fair 
and beautiful earth, the glorious sun, the moon, the 
stars, the seasons — all, all speak to us of Love :— 

" From harmony, from heavenly harmony, 
This universal frame began : 
From harmony to harmony 
Through all the compass of the notes it ran, 
The diapason closing full, in man !" 



180 

When we meet together, week after week, and month 
after month, to engage in the business of Odd-Fellow- 
ship, do we not feel our spirits softened, our rougher 
natures smoothed? Do we not feel the influence of 
Friendship and of Love stealing over us, binding us 
by the holiest ties to each other and to itself"? But it 
is not the only tendency of Odd-Fellowship to cultivate 
the charities of life. There is another principle incul- 
cated by our Society, of more importance than any we 
have yet considered. Friendship and Love may be 
ranked among the charities of life, and they form but 
two of the links in the Odd-Fellows' chain. It is only 
by the addition of Truth that the chain is made 
perfect. 

We remark again, therefore, that Truth is one 
of the most important principles of Odd-Fellowship. 
" Truth," it has been said, " lies in the bottom of a 
well." It might be said with equal propriety that it lies 
upon the top of a high mountain, or in some other place 
equally inaccessible to man. It is indeed a commodity 
rarely to be met with in this world of ours. But among 
Odd-Fellows it comes up from the bottom of the well ; 
it comes down from the mountain's top ; it takes up its 
abode in the Lodge, and dwells here as our continual 
companion. May the time never come when it shall 
cease to dwell among us ! Let its presence be cher- 
ished here. Let not the sacred chain be broken. 



Seize upon Truth where'er 'tis found — 
Among your friends, among your foes ; 
On Christian or on heathen ground, 
The flower's divine, where'er it grows; 
Neglect the prickles, but assume the rose." 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 18 L 

A? Odd-Fellows, we should be sincerely wedded to 
the Truth. In the present state of society, we must 
expect to find her a portionless virgin, and we must 
take her for herself alone. Let the contract be to love, 
cherish, and obey her, not only until death, but beyond 
it. For our union with Truth shall survive, not only 
Death, but Time, the conqueror of Death. As Odd- 
Fellows, therefore, we must be sincere adorers of the 
Truth. So shall we be above all present things ; we 
shall stand firm in the midst of temptation ; we shall 
be frank and free in the minds of treachery. And if 
we should be decried as a bad bargain by those that 
want to purchase us, it will only be because we are 
not to be bought. 

Closely allied to Truth is the spirit of self-trust — 
self-confidence — the spirit of independence. We 
should think for ourselves in all things. We should 
be distrustful of the opinions of men. True wisdom 
lies in the holy of holies, in the temple of Knowl- 
edge ; and Doubt is the vestibule that leads unto it. 
Luther be^an to doubt the infallibility of the pope. 
Copernicus and Newton doubted the false systems of 
others before they established a true one of their own. 
Columbus differed in opinion from all the Old World be- 
fore he discovered a new one ; and Galileo's terrestrial 
body was confined in a dungeon because he doubted 
the existing theories of astronomy, and asserted the 
motion of the celestial bodies. Let us never yield to 
the tyranny of opinion. Let the mind ever be kept 
free. Let us be patient and careful searchers after 
Truth. Should all others forsake her, we will not 
forsake her. Should she be temporarily crushed to 
earth, she "shall rise again." If, like Galileo, we 



1&2 THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 

shall be confined in a dungeon for saying that the 
world goes round, we will cry out through the key- 
hole, " The world goes round still!" 

We do not sufficiently cherish the freedom of the 
soul. We are too apt to receive our opinions at sec- 
ond hand ; to be content with the opinions of others, 
and with the researches of other men. We should 
take the mysterious divining-rod into our own hands, 
and become diligent and faithful explorers throughout 
all the wide domain of science, of politics, of litera- 
ture, of morals, and of religion — if by any means we 
may search out and embrace the beautiful, the true, and 
the good, of human life. 



in. 



The duties which Odd-Fellowship enjoins upon her 
children are these : she teaches them to be good citi- 
zens ; to be obedient to the civil power ; to cultivate the 
social duties ; to be good husbands, fathers, brothers, 
friends. She teaches them not to regard mere external 
appearances, which all Odd-Fellows know are often de- 
ceptive, but to judge of the character of men by their 
actions, by their conversation, " by their fruits.'''' She 
teaches a reverence for humanity. She tells us that 
*' Man" is a greater name than "President" or "King." 
Though his back may be ragged, his hands hard, and 
his countenance sunburnt, yet, inasmuch as he possesses 
the human face and form, insomuch does he partake of 
the Divinity: and if his character is unsullied and his 
morals fair, we take him by the hand and hail him 
brother! We disregard the factitious distinctions of 
rank and privilege which station confers, and judge of 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 183 

men by the only true standard, their intellectual and 
moral character. This is the voice of Nature ; it is 
the voice of God. It must be gratifying indeed, to 
those who are now members of our Order, to look 
back upon its earlier years, and witness the small be- 
ginnings from which all our present greatness has 
sprung. We were once small and weak ; we are now 
great and powerful. We number in our ranks a fair 
proportion of the intellect, the talent, and the wealth 
of our country. We have brushed away the rising 
tear from many a widow's eye and from many an 
orphan's cheek. We have healed the broken heart. 
We have bound up the bruised soul. When the spirit 
of the widowed mother has been borne down to the 
earth, crushed by the weight of accumulating sorrow — 
when her last prop and support has been removed, and 
the tenderest tie that bound her to earth has been sev- 
ered — the friendly hand of Odd-Fellowship has raised 
her u]i again. 

Our Order is a living witness that the earth is not 
all a moral desolation. It has green spots scattered 
here and there over its surface. And in the wilder- 
ness of the world there is no brighter spot, there is no 
lovelier oasis amid the desert, than the Independent 
Order of Odd-Fellowship. 

IV. 

The benefits of our Order are yet to be enlarged ; 
its sphere of usefulness extended ; its roots will be 
planted broader and deeper in our country. The 
spread of Odd-Fellowship will be but the spread of the 
principles of benevolence, and charity, and love. It 



184 



will be but another step in the civilization of our race- 
Let the members of the Order, not foro-ettino- the 
principles of benevolence, turn also their attention 
somewhat to the pursuits of the Scholar. For it is 
he that is the excellency of his country, the beloved 
of his race, the happiest of men. His vocation does, 
indeed, lead him directly to the holy ground, where 
other men's aspirations only point. Let us not only 
be pioneers in the world of morals: we may become 
intellectual backwoodsmen, ever upon the outskirts of 
the empire of the mind, reclaiming continually from 
the wilderness new fields for the display of the genius 
and the intellect of man. Let us become acquainted 
witn our thoughts ; let us cherish the soul, and our 
faculties will rise up within us full and fair, like the 
forest-oak, or the magnolia-grandiflora of the sunny 
south. Let us enjoy the private, sincere, divine expe- 
riences of the scholar. Let noble, manly thought be 
ours. Let us study the lessons of human life ; catch 
and keep the harmonious strain of upper music that 
peals from it. Let us worship the immortal divinities 
who whisper to the poet and the scholar, and make 
each the utterer of melodies that pierce the ear of 
eternal time. 



Above all, let us love one another. This is the 
Divine command, and it is the command of Odd-Fel- 
lowship. Let us be, truly and sincerely, Brothers. 

" Brother !" Beautiful word ! and how pleasant 
when kindly spoken ! How much of love is bound 
up in those seven letters ! how the human heart hugs 



185 

the heavenly sound ! Surely it has a peculiar fitness 
to symbolize pure affection. Blessed be the lips that 
first uttered it! and let the wretch never be known 
whose bosom could not respond to it ! 

What a relationship it expresses ! It is the name 
of him who is our equal ; our father is his father — 
our mother is his mother. The love which cares for 
us cares for him ; and the eyes that weep when we 
sorrow, weep also when he sorrows. He is our coun- 
terpart, and has with us equal rights beneath a com- 
mon paternal roof; he eats from the same table, and 
sleeps beside us on the dreamy couch. He is partaker 
alike of our joys and pains ; and when an enemy ap- 
pears, we stand back to back and shoulder to shoulder. 
Boys together, we grow to manhood : the stream of 
life sweeps one hither, and the other thither, and years 
pass on ; but neither distance nor years can prevent 
our longing spirits from speeding over land and ocean 
to commune with our second self. 

Brother ! Generous epithet ! Every man should 
speak it lovingly to his fellow ; but how much more 
the Odd-Fellow! Who should utter it if he does not 
to his brother! The term is his peculiarly; God has 
given it to him ; and will he not use it? Is the poor 
Odd-Fellow afraid or ashamed to apply it to the rich 
one? is the rich one too exalted to call an humble one 
by so sweet a title? And is it so? Children of one 
family — who are, or should be, going to the same glo- 
rious home, to live there together for ever — refusing 
or neglecting to love one another! Never — never 
should an Odd-Fellow permit an unkind feeling to 
have a place in his breast against his Brother ! 



186 



VI. 



It is well enough for us sometimes to analyze our 
feelings and actions as Odd -Fellows, to ascertain 
whether we are truly actuated toward each other by 
the broad, eternal principle of Love. What is its 
spirit ? It is mild as an infant's breath, yet resistless 
as tha thunderbolt; gentle as the lamb, that licks the 
hand raised to shed its blood, yet more controlling and 
powerful than the elements that melt the rocks and 
rend the mountains. The prophet Elijah went and 
stood on Mount Horeb, to witness the majesty and 
grandeur of the Almighty. — The roaring winds, as 
the rushing of a thousand cataracts, were let loose from 
their secret chambers, and the strong rocks and frag- 
ments of the mountain yielded to the sweeping blasts ; 
but the Lord was not in the wind. Then came the 
earthquake : the mountain reeled, as though it would 
have been dashed headlong by convulsive throes, and 
shaken to pieces by the power before whom its quaking 
summit trembled; but the Lord was not in the earth- 
quake. Then the devouring fire, in terrifying and ser- 
pentine streams of flame, flashed along the shattered 
mountain, carrying destruction and devastation in its 
train ; but the Lord was not in the fire. After these 
fearful and portentous sounds were hushed, what did 
the prophet hear? Nothing like storm, earthquake, or 
bursting fire, but " a still, small voice" exhibited the 
power and the glory of Jehovah ; in it did the Eternal 
manifest himself to his servant. That was the voice 
of Love ; which shall conquer, and subdue, and win 
it^ trophies, w 7 hen the storm of passion shall have 
wasted its energies, and the fire of Revenge and Mai- 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 187 

ice shall have been quenched for ever. Brethren, be 
it our intent to exhibit this principle in our lives, and, 
by example, as well as precept, to teach it to others ! 



VII. 

Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God ; 
neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the 
message that ye heard from the beginning, that we 
should love one another. He that loveth not his 
brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his 
brother is a murderer; and ye know that no murderer 
hath eternal life abiding in him. We ought to be wil- 
ling to lay down our lives for the brethren. 

Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother 
have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion 
from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him ? — 
Let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in 
deed and in truth. Hereby we know that we are of 
the Truth, and shall assure our hearts before God. 
For if our heart condemn us not, then have we confi 
dence toward God. 

God is love ; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth 
in God, and God in him. If a man say, " I love 
God," and hateth his brother, he is a liar. He who 
loveth God, loveth his brother also. 



vnr. 

Our future prospect is full of promise : nothing but 
our own misconduct can dim its brightness. It rests 
with us alone whether our Fraternity shall perish or 



188 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

prosper — whether it shall retrograde or advance. — 
What will give us the certainty of a bright and joyful 
future as a Fraternity of Odd-Fellows ? We answer, 
" Union." The maxim is as true of us as of any 
body of men, "United we stand; divided we fall." 
We have all read the story of the bundle of sticks. — 
One, alone, was broken with scarcely an effort ; but 
the bundle was proof against the physical strength of 
the strongest. There is such a union of interests, and 
of feeling and action in our Brotherhood, that it may 
be, not inaptly, compared to the physical frame of 
man. If one member of the body suffer, the entire 
frame is affected. If we make a puncture on the hand 
or arm, and infuse poison into the blood, the whole 
system becomes contaminated. Whatever is calcu- 
lated to disorganize and disunite us — to scatter dis- 
cord and foment strife among us — must weaken our 
power and destroy our peace. 

Brethren ! let union of sentiment, union of effort, 
union of interest and action, be engraven on our altars 
and reign in our hearts and councils, and we may defy 
the sneers and enmity of a thousand worlds ; our Fra- 
ternity shall increase, and flourish, and become more 
and more useful to our race — and when we shall 
have passed away in the flood of time, it shall be said 
of us, what Goldsmith said on another subject : — 

"As some tall cliff, that lifts its awful form, 
Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm, 
Though round its breast the rolling clouds were spread, 
Eternal sunshine settles on its head!' 1 '' 



189 



SECRECY. 

Secret societies, for mutual relief, protection, in- 
struction, and religious worship, were probably first 
known in Egypt, in the days of her greatest glory and 
refinement. History has handed down the renown of 
the ceremonies which these secret societies enacted at 
their public festivals. The feasts called Cerealia, of 
the Eleusinian Order, in honor to Ceres, and the Dyo- 
nisia, or the feasts of Bacchus, together with the "Or- 
der of Pontifices" of Numa, king of Rome, were prop- 
agated from Egypt over all the world. From these 
orders, Moses (who was learned in all the wisdom of 
the Egyptians) probably derived much of that wisdom 
which made him the greatest lawgiver in the world. 
From these, the Greeks made models of institutions 
which lasted to the latest day of their historical glory. 
From these, the Druids of Britain modelled their reli- 
gious rites, so imposing that nothing but the revelation 
of the religion of Christ could have dissipated their 
power. From these, we doubt not, the aborigines of 
our own land have derived by tradition their annual 
festive ceremonies, to which none but their own blood 
and nation are ever admitted. That such societies 
existed in all the ancient empires of the world, we 
bave abundant evidence on the pages of history. We 



190 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



read that the highest honor that could be bestowed 
upon Hippocrates, in the city where his art first tri- 
umphed so signally, was to initiate him into all the 
mysteries of their secret orders, to which strangers 
were never before admitted. 

But these ancient orders, with the causes that made 
them useful, have passed away before the transmuting 
hand of Time. The religious sublimities of Egyptian 
and Grecian mythology have given place to a holier 
and more simple religion, the precepts of which are 
written upon all the pages of Nature's great book, in 
characters so plain, that the weakest in intellect may 
read them as he runs. Thus has ended the mystery 
that was once deemed necessary to preserve religion 
from oblivion. The archives of learning, too, have 
been spread before the world by the magic power of 
the press, while Science is knocking and importuning 
at the door of the humblest of the poor, that its inmates 
may be made wise. Hence the mystery of that mo- 
nopoly of wisdom w T hich once existed with the priests 
of a heathen reliirion, has vanished, and its altars have 
crumbled to the dust. 

But the general diffusion of science, or even the 
Divine light of a wisdom that cometh from above, are 
powerless from oppression and want, or the relief and 
comfort of the sick in body and the broken in spirit. 
Though Wisdom and Devotion need no longer the 
veil of mystery over their altars, the heavenly attribute 
of Charity still loves the shade — still loves to shun 
the eye of the world, and do good by stealth. Let no 
one say that there should be no secret concert in the 
cultivation of the virtue of Benevolence. Pharisees 
may give alms before men, and make their show of 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 191 

figures on subscription-papers ; they may hoard to- 
gether their thousands for splendid schemes of public 
charity : but scarcely a mite of all their bounty ever 
reaches a deserving object ; scarcely a drop of their 
consolation ever relieves the distresses of a really de- 
serving sufferer. 

To those who possess a tolerable acquaintance with 
human nature, and are in any wise familiar with the 
history of mankind, either past or present, the impor- 
tance and usefulness of societies in ameliorating the 
condition of man, in correcting the evils of his nature* 
and in bringing forth the latent principles of his mind 
into healthful exercise, are sufficiently obvious. There 
are, however, in this strange and contradictory world, 
many persons who oppose secret societies on the mere 
ground of their secrecy, and who ask, " If there is 
any good in them, why do they not open their portals 
to the public gaze?" We would ask, in reply, "Are 
those who make the most ado about the secrecy and 
mystery of others, willing that every act of their own 
should come to the knowledge of the world?" No! 
Their stammering tongues and blushing cheeks would 
be evidence of their unwillingness to surrender the keys 
of their hearts. 

The truth of the matter is, that mystery and secrecy 
abound, and will ever abound, through each and every 
department of society. That maxim which taught men 
that a secret should be held inviolate, sprang from a 
sense of the importance of implicit confidence in every 
relation of life. Those concerned in secret societies 
only act up to the principles of every-day existence. 
Is not a man's household the place wherein his best 
affections centre? While troubles beset him on either 

13 



192 THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 

hand while attending to his daily calling, he looks to 
the domestic hearth as to the Mecca of his heart, the 
haven of his rest. But if the world were to gaze upon 
the concerns of his family, or if he himself were to pro- 
claim all the events which might occur within his little 
circle, need it be said that all the charms of his fire- 
side, all the sacred associations of home, would for ever 
depart? The fact that .his family is a small commu- 
nity, separate and distinct from the mass of mankind, 
makes it the means of domestic felicity. If you were 
to enlarge this community by the admission of the mul- 
titude, would it not lose its fascination ? Yet, upon the 
principles of the opponents of secret societies, unless 
he proclaim to the world the affairs of his family, unless 
his household gods are prostrated and trodden under 
foot, then, forsooth, vice and immorality must reign 
within his dwelling! What would be the fate of every 
sacred engagement, of all the relations by which the 
best feelings of the soul are promoted — from which 
arise the greatest blessings of the social system — if 
there were no obligations of secrecy on those who con- 
tract them ? As well might the silver cord at once be 
loosened, and the chain of affection become as a rope 
of sand. T*here are mysteries and secrets in every 
department of society, which can never be fathomed. 
There are secrets which occupy but kw breasts, and 
will never be extended to others ; secrets, too, into which 
no person of refinement would think of prying. 

There are secrets among all classes of men, in every 
pursuit in life, which are held inviolate. Business-men 
have secrets which they studiously confine to their own 
bosoms, scarcely allowing them to escape even to those 
engaged in their service : professional men have secrets. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 193 

which they will not reveal to any excepting members 
of their own calling. Why do not the opponents of 
secret societies complain of these? 

There are none so blind as those who will not see. 
Men who oppose Odd-Fellowship on the ground of its 
secrecy merely, and who, with an inconsistency that 
would seem to indicate monomania, object to secrecy 
in any form, as though it were some fell destroyer, may 
not be easily persuaded. But there are those who sim- 
ply misapprehend this matter, who are willing to be 
convinced ; and to such we now address ourselves. 

If these people could enter a Lodge of Odd-Fellows 
as members, they would be astonished at the simplicity 
of our " mysteries." There is nothing horrible, noth- 
ing terrifying, in our secrets. They have a single 
object, and that is one which no sensible man would 
condemn. They are practised for the simplest of pur- 
poses — one of which is that of recognition. Many of 
our brethren come from a distance to visit the Lodges, 
and some of them require our aid in seasons of adver- 
sity. If we had no means of knowing them, we might 
be the constant dupes of imposture, and the prey of 
deception and fraud. By the proper employment of 
the intelligence derived through our " secrets," we can 
always recognise an Odd-Fellow ; and thus, without 
even speaking with him, can give him our aid. No 
matter what language he may speak, if he be a brother, 
w r e are able in a moment to know him as such. The 
" secret," then, of our secrets, is simply this : to know 
each other, and to prevent imposition. What evil, we 
ask, can they do to society ? why should they be made 
such "bugbears" among men and women? 
But supposing, after all, that our secrets were appalling, 



194 

and horrifying, and to be properly distrusted by those 
who are ignorant of them ? If we elevate the charac- 
ter of men, and send them forth to the world better 
fitted to discharge their various duties, what matters 
to the world the means we employ to do it? What 
profit would it be to the unlawful " priers" into our 
mysteries to know whether we " rebuild the temple of 
Solomon," or practise the incantations of the witches 
of Macbeth, in our ceremonies? Some have said that 
secret societies are inconsistent with, and dangerous 
to, our republican institutions. We need not argue 
any abstract political theories on this subject. They 
are sufficiently answered in the fidelity and patriot- 
ism, exemplified in their conduct to the world, of 
the members of the Order. To the initiated, who 
know how perfectly harmless to all the world is the 
secrecy of a Lodge-room, this objection is a matter of 
ridicule. Odd-Fellowship is a philanthropic institu- 
tion, which has been more successful than any similar 
association ever established in this country. How 
many, professing a like object, have had an existence, 
in all the forms which the ingenuity of man could de- 
vise, within the comparatively brief space of the last 
half century? And what of them, save this and 
Masonry, now remains? Why is it that destruction 
has been written upon them all, by the finger of time, 
ere its mould had covered them ? Because their prin- 
ciple of association, consisting in the mere promptings 
of benevolence, however good in itself, embraced no 
fellowship of hearts, no community of interest, and 
consequently they possessed no bond of union nor 
element of life. They imposed duty without incul- 
cating affection ; and they extended charity with the 



cold band of formality, instead of accompanying it 
will) the warm and generous emotions of the heart. 
It is the principle of secrecy that forms our bond of 
union, because it is that which, though it he common 
to us, is unknown to the world ; it constitutes our 
Brotherhood, links us together in a community of 
feeling and affection, and enables us to preserve the 
organic capacity which in all other forms has crumbled 
to pieces. If it were dangerous to any principle of 
government, or any interest of society — any precept 
of morals, or any fundamental doctrine of our faith — 
is it likely that we would hold it out to every one, 
and invite all to come and be made acquainted with 
it? Or, if it contained any or all of these elements, 
is it probable that it could retain in its embrace the 
hundreds and thousands of great and good men who 
are enrolled among its members? Would there not 
be at least one, among them all, who, scorning the 
trammels of deceit — spurning all obligations requiring 
the concealment of vice, immorality, and even treason 
itself — would at once unmask them to the world? 

Is secrecy, in itself considered, a crime? If it be, 
then all men and women are criminals; for all, in 
whatever situation of life they may severally be placed, 
have secrets which they will not reveal to mortal ear. 
It is no crime. Heaven and earth, God and nature, 
death and eternity, life, love, and even Truth itself, 
are full of it. Why, then, should Odd-Fellows be 
condemned for their " secrecy ?" 

We have sometimes thought that Odd-Fellows them- 
selves have been to blame for the opposition our " se- 
crets" have encountered. They are not, in all cases, 
sufficiently careful in their conversations with the world 



196 

on this subject. Indeed, they have misrepresented 
facts, by absurdly hinting to their friends and neigh- 
bors, that there is something in our rites and mysteries 
extremely awful or ridiculous. They have mischiev- 
ously pretended that the candidate for Odd-Fellowship 
must undergo a certain terrifying ordeal, and that he 
must " ride a goat /" We contend that all this is not 
only foolish, but scandalous. No brother has a right 
to bring reproach upon the Order by promulgating 
such trash. 

In concluding this subject, we would impress upon 
the minds of the Brotherhood the importance of not 
only keeping our secrets, but of discouraging, in every 
possible manner, the practice of misrepresenting them. 
If we are truly Odd-Fellows, we shall keep our mys- 
teries inviolate. Those who fail to do this, have not 
well learned the lessons they have been taught. They 
should study them over again, and commit to memory 
some of the instructions they have received ; so that, 
by their example, they may convince the world that 
" good faith" and virtue are the peculiar characteris- 
tics of a true Odd-Fellow ; for, according to our laws, 
we can be Odd-Fellows only while we act like honest 
men. Brethren ! let us remember this. 



jp. 





«*« 






THE ODD-FELLOWS* TKXT-BOOK. 197 



THE EMBLEMS OF THE ORDER. 



THE INITIATORY DEGREE. 

The Eye, — As Odd-Fellows, let us always remem- 
ber those expressive words, that ean not be too deeply 
imprinted on our minds, "Thou, God, seest me!" 
For the eye of the Lord is in every plaee, beholding 
the evil and the good. 

We may also, in this connection, remind ourselves 
that " a wholesome tongue is a tree of life ;" that the 
SECRETS we have promised to keep inviolate will 
never be divulged, except bij a man devoid oftheprin- 
Ctvles of honor. 

The Heart, and, Hand. — The command of our law 
is, that we visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury 
the dead, and educate the orphan. What our hands 
find to do in these respects, therefore, we should do 
cheerfully, with the whole heart ; not grudgingly and 
unwillingly. True friendship goes out with alacrity to 
the service required of it: and heart and hand should 
go forth in concert in the cause of suffering humanity; 
they must not he divided in their energies. 

The Coffin, Skull, and Cross- 1 tones. — The decree 
of I leaven is " Dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt 
return." We all await the inevitable hour. What is 



198 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

our life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a lit- 
tle time, and then vanisheth away. Where are the 
myriads of the human family that have lived and fig- 
ured on the earth? They all sleep with their fathers, 
and the places that once knew them shall know them 
no more for ever. Oh, let us reflect — let us seriously 
meditate, my brother, on these monitors of " what we 
are sure to be, and what we may soon become." 

The Bee-Hive. — The industrious man seldom suf- 
fers the agony of want. Even though his labors yield 
him but a trifle, he is content in the knowledge that 
he is doing what he can to support himself. The idler 
is an unhappy wretch who drags out a miserable ex- 
istence. While the sleep of the laborer is sweet and 
refreshing, that of the idler is restless and unsatisfying. 
No man can be happy unemployed. No matter how 
rich he may be, be must work if he would not be mis- 
erable. This is a law of Nature — it can not be suc- 
cessfully resisted. As members of this Order, we 
must labor, my brother — if not necessarily for our- 
selves, then for our fellows. 

The Links and Axe. — "Friendship, Love, and 
Truth," the motto of our Order — how trite it has be- 
come — and how little is it understood and practised 
by many who make large professions ! Yet what is it? 
Friendship, Love, and Truth, extended toward man 
by his brother universally, would make of this world 
a comparative paradise. It would turn aside half the 
ills that " flesh is heir to," and produce an amount of 
happiness that would astonish mankind itself. Friend- 
ship, Love, and Truth, my brother, is no unmeaning 
expression. Practise them, and you at least will de- 
rive consolation from them. Do not imitate the theo- 






THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 199 

rizers, who preach our motto through their presses and 
from their rostrums, and who have none of its life and 
spirit ; but go out among your brethren, and make 
them feel that you at least are no vainglorious boaster, 
whoso thought is only for the loaves and fishes. Per- 
form the offices of Friendship, Love, and Truth — do 
not merely talk about them. 



WHITE DEGREE. 

The Lamb. — Innocence is one of the loveliest qual- 
ities which adorn human nature. The corrupt laugh 
at and affect to despise it, but in their hearts they honor 
it. The temperate, the chaste, the benevolent, and 
the charitable, are beloved by the most abandoned 
wretches that disgrace humanity. Innocence of wrong- 
doing commends itself to all, and he who evinces it in 
his life and conduct may command the confidence of 
the whole world. 

The Bundle of Sticks. — "In union is strength," 
is a common axiom. We must be united in this cause 
of Odd-Fellowship, not only in our corporate capacity, 
but in our deeds. A single individual, if he labor 
with a will, may accomplish much in the field of fra- 
ternity ; but a host, united in solid phalanx in the ser- 
vice of Benevolence, may revolutionize the world. If 
the two hundred thousand Odd-Fellows Ave boast of 
in numbers were to go forth now, and put into prac- 
tice what they profess — if they would labor with one 
heart and one mind in the highways and byways of 
life — how soon might their influence pervade the 
earth, crushing, withering, annihilating the demons of 



200 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

Avarice, and Lust, and Pride, and raising man to the 
high and holy estate for which his Maker designed 
him ! Brother, forget not you?- obligations. Wait not 
for others, but do your part, though you may be but 
one rod in the bundle. 



COVENANT DEGREE. 

Quiver and Arrows. — As the marksman prides 
himself on the certainty of his aim, so should we, in a 
higher and more noble sense, study to make our gen- 
erous deeds sure. We must not perform our good 
offices at random, but so regulate and direct them as 
to render them serviceable at the proper time, and 
place, and circumstance. Thus, unlike the Indian, 
who desires his bow and arrows buried with him, that 
he may possess them in the happy hunting-grounds 
where the Great Spirit dwells, let us hope that the 
odor of our benevolent actions shall precede us, and 
trust that the influence of those actions shall be felt 
and realized after all that is mortal of us shall have 
perished. 



THE ROYAL-BLUE DEGREE. 

Moses 1 Rod. — As " the great lawgiver of the Jews" 
received his authority and was directed by the Almigh- 
ty, so may you, my brother, by the same authority and 
direction, go forth as a leader in the cause of the op- 
pressed. Under such guidance you may smite with 
power and effect the high, thick walls of Prejudice 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 201 

which shut man away from his fellow ; you may pro- 
tect him from the enemies which would enslave and 
crush him, hy teaching him to follow the example and 
practise the precepts which the Jewish leader exhib- 
ited and inculcated. 

The Dove. — The messenger of Peace and Good- 
will, of Promise and of Hope, what lot more happy — 
more desirable — than thine ! "Like a tree planted 
by the rivers, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season, 
thy leaf shall not wither, and whatsoever thou doest 
shall prosper." Brother ! be not wearied in thy prog- 
ress. Go forth ever in the cause of Friendship — 
bear ever the olive-branch of Peace to the oppressed. 

The Brazen Serpent. — But while thou shouldst be 
harmless as the dove, thou shouldst also be wise as 
the serpent. Suffer no man — brother though he pro- 
fess to be — to deceive thee by false tokens. All are 
not Odd-Fellows who take the name. All are not thy 
co-laborers who claim to be so. He who is selfish, or 
avaricious, or uncharitable, is not thy brother. Re- 
form him, if thou canst, but discover not to him thy 
secrets. Do thy own work — make not him thy part- 
ner in it. 

The ArJc of the Covenant. — The ark of the cove- 
nant contained the sublimest instructions ever given 
to man. On these all just laws have been founded. 
On these have our laws been built. As those sacred 
deposites were the objects of respect and reverence by 
the Jews, so likewise, my brother, honor thou the teach- 
ings thus far impressed on thy mind, and act in con- 
formity with the lessons thou hast learned. 



202 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

THE DEGREE OF REMEMBRANCE. 

The Scales and Sword. — Let us weigh well and 
truly our conduct and our actions, and suffer the bal- 
ance to be a just one. The spirit of Justice will not 
permit us to impose false balances. If we have erred, 
therefore, we must not screen ourselves, but repent. 
Nor should we screen other delinquents, however much 
our sympathy may be excited in their behalf. He is 
most merciful who enforces justice on the evil-doer, 
for it is for the general good : better one suffer than 
many. 

The Horn of Plenty. — If thou art or shouldst be- 
come blessed with abundance, be thankful, not in 
words merely, but in deeds. If thou hast plenty and 
to spare, and wouldst be happy, give of thy abun- 
dance in the cause of Benevolence. So shalt thou 
greatly aid in carrying out the noble "designs of this 
Fraternity. 



THE SCARLET DEGREE. 

The Bible. — What you have been told concerning 
the sacred deposites of the ark of the covenant, might 
be appropriately repeated here. The Word of God, 
the Book of books, is the source of all true wisdom, 
Divine and human. It is a " lamp to our feet, a light 
to our path," and contains unerring directions and 
counsel for every phase, circumstance, and condition 
of life. Study it, my brother. 

Sun, Moon, and Seven Stars. — The sun is the em- 
blem of power and vigor ; the moon and stars are not 
only subordinate to it, but dependent upon it. Truth 



203 

is our great light. If we, in the course of our pilgrim- 
age here on earth, realize its power in our hearts, per- 
mit it to control our actions, and in our turn reflect its 
strength upon others' hearts, we shall be the noblest 
benefactors that ever blessed humanity. We must, as 
Odd-Fellows, be sincerely wedded to Truth. For 
our union with her shall survive, not only earth, but 
Time, the conqueror of Death. 

The Budding- Rod. — And the Lord spake unto 
Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and 
take of every one of them a rod according to the house 
of their fathers, of all their princes according to the 
house of their fathers, twelve rods : write thou every 
man's name upon his rod. And thou shalt write 
Aaron's name upon the rod of Levi : for one rod shall 
be for the head of the house of their fathers. And 
thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congre- 
gation before the testimony, where I will meet with 
you. And it shall come to pass that the man's rod 
whom I shall choose shall blossom : and I will make 
to cease from me the murmurings of the children of 
Israel, whereby they murmur against you. And Moses 
spake unto the children of Israel, and every one of 
their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince 
one, according to their fathers' houses, even twelve 
rods : and the rod of Aaron was among their rods. 
And Moses laid up the rods before the Lord in the 
tabernacle of witness. And it came to pass, that on 
the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness ; 
and behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi 
was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed 
blossoms, and yielded almonds. 



204 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

THE PATRIARCHAL DEGREE. 

The Altar of License. — Let thy offerings, brother, 
be submitted in all simplicity and purity of heart. Im- 
itate the patriarchs. Worship thy Maker in spirit and 
in truth. Call on him frequently — thou hast need of 
his guidance. Approach his altar in the spirit of hu- 
mility and of love, and ask his blessings, not only on 
thyself, but on thy neighbor. So shalt thou find favor 
in his sight, and insure his countenance and support. 

The Patriarch'' s Tent. — The patriarchs of old, who 
dwelt in tents, whose employment was that of shep- 
herds, and who passed their lives in the inculcation of 
the social virtues, were a happy because they were a 
good people. Brother, imitate their pure example, 
and thou shalt find the contentment which they so 
richly enjoyed. 



THE GOLDEN-RULE DEGREE. 

The Three Pillars^ — Brother, have "Faith in God, 
Hope in immortality, and Charity to all mankind. ' The 
greatest of these is Charity;' for our Faith may be lost 
in sight; Hope ends in fruition; but Charity extends 
beyond the grave, through the boundless realms of 
eternity." The chief pillar of the temple we have 
reared is therefore Charity. Remember, then, that on 
this mainly depends our superstructure, and fail not, 
faint not in the practice of this Godlike virtue. 

The Globe. — Let us exert our utmost endeavors to 
hasten the most desirable period. Let us conquer the 
world to its own peace, by compelling it to aid us to 
establish the glorious reign of the Golden Power. 





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v W 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 205 

The globe is the field of our labor. We should not 
pause in our efforts until the whole world shall be 
made happy. We should carry our Benevolence and 
Friendship into every corner of the wide earth, and 
into the remotest islands of the sea. 



THE ROYAL-PURPLE DEGREE. 

The Hour- Glass and Scythe. — While we have been 
thus pursuing this journey, which has brought us at 
length to the goal we set out to reach, the sands of our 
life have been falling, and we are nearer the " bourne 
whence no traveller returns." Old Time, with his 
unerring scythe, is on our track — we can not escape 
him. Let us now impress this truth — let us engrave 
it on our hearts — that there is not a moment to waste ; 
that, in the brief probation allotted to us here on earth* 
the good or ill we accomplish is all of us that shall live 
among men. 



206 the odd-fellows' text-book. 



THE JEWELS AND REGALIA OF THE ORDER. 

The Jewels and Regalia worn by Odd-Fellows 
have been made the subject of much remark by those 
who do not understand their object. They have been 
called " a useless expense," a " token without mean- 
ing," " an ostentatious display for the purpose of catch- 
ing the eye." We shall not argue in this place the 
propriety of the use of regalia and jewels by the Order 
of Odd-Fellows, but will merely say that there is a sig- 
nificance attached to them which the uninitiated can 
neither understand nor appreciate. Yet we will take 
occasion to remark to our brethren, that an ostentatious 
display of these matters is indicative of a weakness 
which the world, and especially the opponents of our 
Order, will be apt to construe to the prejudice of our 
institution. In describing the jewels and regalia, we 
shall commence with those of the Grand-Sire and mem- 
bers of the Grand Lodge of the United States, and pro- 
ceed with those of the several Grand and subordinate 
bodies down to the Lodge. 



JEWELS AND REG ALT A OF THE GRAND LODGE OF THE 
UNITED STATES. 

Jewel of a Grand-Sire and of P. Grand-Sires. — ■ 
A medal of yellow metal, three inches in diameter, on 
one side of which is the coat-of-arms of the United 






(Viand Mastex 



Dep.G* Master. 




"SC-j.biTsc. s'hl^L' 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 207 

States, surrounded by an ornamental edging of silver. 
Regalia. — Collar of purple velvet, four inches in 
width, with a roll of scarlet velvet on the upper edge 
around the neck ; trimmings of yellow metal. The col- 
lar to be united in front with three links, from which 
must be suspended the medal. 

The Regalia of officers, representatives, past offi- 
cers, and past representatives of the Grand Lodge of 
the U.S., is similar to the above. Representatives and 
past representatives may wear medals of the size and 
style of that of the Grand-Sire, signifying the coat-of- 
arms of the State represented in the Grand Lodge of 
the U. S. 



JEWELS AND REGALIA OF A STATE GRAND LODGE. 

Jewel of a past Grand- Master. — Sun, of white met- 
al ; heart in hand. Regalia.- — Scarlet sash, (or collar,) 
trimmed with scarlet. The sash (or collar) may be 
trimmed with silver lace or fringe.* The regalia for 
all officers and members of a Grand Lodge is as above. 
[That of the Chaplain is an exception ; at least we have 
made it so.] 

Jewel of a Grand-Master.- — Sun, exhibiting the 
scales of Justice. Of white metal. Regalia. — As 
above. 

Jewel of a Deputy Grand-Master. — Half-moon. Of 
white metal. Resralia. — As above. 

o 

* Past Grands of the R. P. Degree may have trimmings of 
yellow metal; but the colors of the regalia of the officers of a 
State Grand Lodge should be -uniformly scarlet and white 

14 



208 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

Jewel of a Grand Warden. — Crossed gavels. Of 
white metal. Regalia. — As above. 

Jewel of a Grand Secretary. — Crossed pens. Of 
white metal. Regalia. — As above. 

Jewel of a Grand Treasurer. — Crossed keys. Of 
white metal. Regalia. — As above. 

Jewel of a, Grand Chaplain. — The Bible. Of 
white metal. Regalia. — A white sash. 

Jewel of a Grand Marshal. — A baton. Of white 
metal. Regalia. — Scarlet collar or sash, trimmed 
with white. 

Jewel of a Grand Conductor. — A Roman sword. 
Of white metal. Regalia. — As above. 

Jewel of a Grand Guardian. — Crossed swords. 
Of white metal. Regalia. — As above. 



JEWELS AND REGALIA OF A GRAND ENCAMPMENT. 

Jewel of a Grand Patriarch. — Crossed crooks and 
au altar, represented in the centre of a double triangle 
of yellow metal. Regalia. — Royal purple collar or 
sash. 

Jewel of a Grand High-Priest. — The breast-plate,* 
represented in the centre of a double triangle of yel- 
low metal. Regalia,. — As above. 

Jewel of a Grand Senior Warden. — Crossed crooks 

* Read the twenty-eighth chapter of Exodus. 



iu^D^^jj^vjx-xrjcAiyj^jvj^iT/ jjewell^o 




Chief Patriarch.. llnji Pries! 



Sen? Ward. 



.Inn 1 ' WarcLen 




Scribe 




TV e asm 




SentiiLel. 




Grand (IP 



w 



Grand. HP. 



'77/ 



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iiliiN A 



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Grand SeiL.'W Gra vuL JunJWT 

(fib 

it- 



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Grand So 


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77, ~ 






f?£: 






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Grand Sen tin el. 


SJBLGmbet 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 209 

in the centre of a double triangle of yellow metal. Re- 
galia. — As above. 

Jewel of a. Grand Junior Warden. — Single crook 
in double triangle of yellow metal. Regalia. — As 
above. 

Jewel of a, Grand Scribe. — Crossed pens in double 
triangle of yellow metal. Regalia. — As above. 

Jewel of a Grand Treasurer. — Crossed keys in 
double triangle of yellow metal. Regalia. — As above. 

Jewel of the Grand Sentinels. — Cross swords in 
double triangle of yellow metal. Regalia. — As above. 

The Regalia of a member of a Grand Encamp- 
ment consists of a purple collar and black gloves ; the 
collar trimmed with yellow lace or fringe. 



JEWELS AND REGALIA OF A SUBORDINATE ENCAMPMENT. 

Jewel of a Chief Patriarch. — Crossed crooks and 
an altar, represented within a single triangle of yellow 
metal. Regalia. — Purple collar, trimmed with gold- 
colored fringe or lace, or both. 

Jewel of a High-Priest. — The breast-plate,* within 
a triangle of yellow metal. Regalia. — High-Priesrs 
robe, etc. 

Jewel of a Senior Warden. — Crossed crooks within 
a triangle of yellow metal. Regalia. — Similar to 
that worn by the Chief-Patriarch. 

Jewel of a Junior Warden. — A single crook within 
a triangle of yellow metal. Regalia. — As above. 

Jewel of a Scribe. — Crossed pens in a triangle of 
yellow metal. Regalia. — As above. 

Jewel of a Treasurer. — Crossed keys within a 
triangle of yellow metal. Regalia. — As above. 
* See Exodus, ch. 28. 



210 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



Jewel of a Sentinel. — Crossed swords in a triangle 
of metal. Regalia.. — As above. 

The Regalia of members of subordinate Encamp- 
ments consists of purple collars and black gloves; the 
collars trimmed with yellow lace or fringe. Brothers 
who have taken the Patriarchal Degree only, and who 
are not therefore full members, wear a plain black apron 
and black gloves. 

P. C. Patriarchs wear purple collars or sashes, 
trimmed with yellow lace or fringe. 






JEWELS AND REGALTA OF A SUBORDINATE LODGE. 



Jewel of a Junior Past-Grand. — A five-pointed 
star, representing the heart and hand in the centre. 
Of white rnetal. Regalia. — A scarlet sash or collar, 
trimmed with white lace or fringe, or silver fringe, 
and a scarlet rosette,* to be placed on the sash or collar. 

Jewel of a, Noble- Grand. — Crossed gavels. Of 
white metal. Regalia. — A scarlet collar, trimmed 
with white. 

Jewel of a Vice -Grand. — Hourglass. Of white 
metal. Regalia. — A blue collar trimmed with white 
or silver. 

* Rosettes, displaying the color of the degree to which a 
brother has advanced, or indicating the office he may hold, may 
be worn by any member or officer of a subordinate Lodge. 







1 



t r : I JJJJnw 



Per. Secretar 



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R.ec; Secretary 



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Om&tr. /liiiai* 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 211 

Jewel of the Secretaries. — Crossed pens. Of white 
metal. Regalia. — A green collar, trimmed with white 
or silver. 

Jewel of a Treasurer. — Crossed keys. Of white 
metal. Regalia. — Precisely similar to that of the Sec- 
retaries. 

Jewel of a Chaplain. — The Bible. Of white metal. 
Regalia. — A white sash, which may be trimmed with 
the color of the highest degree to which the wearer shall 
have advanced ; but our impression is in favor of pure, 
plain white for this officer. 

Jewel of a Warden. — Crossed axes. Of white metal. 
Regalia. — A black sash. 

Jewel of a Conductor. — Crossed wands. Of white 
metal. Regalia. — Similar to that of the Warden. 

Jewel of the Guardians. — Crossed swords. Of white 
metal. Regalia. — That of the I. G., a blue sash. That 
of the O. G., a scarlet sash. 

The Regalia of the K. and L. Supporters of the N. G. 
consists of scarlet sashes. That of the K. and L. Sup- 
porters of the V. G. consists of blue sashes. That of the 
two Scene Supporters consists of white sashes. 

The Regalia for members of a subordinate Lodge is 
as follows: 

For the initiatory degree, a plain white apron only. 

For the first degree, white collar, with White trim- 
mings. 

For the second degree, the same trimmed with 
Pink. 

For the third degree, the same, trimmed with Blue. 

For the fourth degree, the same, trimmed with 
Green. 



212 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

For the fifth degree, the same, trimmed with Scar- 
let. 

Of these colors of the several degrees, each one has 
a peculiar significance, which, in our opinio?!, should 
not be revealed to the world. 

The Regalia of the new Degree of Rebekah con- 
sists of a collar of jri/ik and green. It is used only by 
ladies. These are the colors of the degree, and the 
ideas they convey are most beautiful and emphatic. 

The Regalia to be used by brothers attending the 
funeral of a deceased brother, is as follows : — A black 
crape rosette, having a centre of the color of the high- 
est degree to which the wearer may have attained, to 
be worn on the left breast ; above it a sprig of ever- 
green, and below it (if the wearer be an officer or past 
officer) the jewel or jewels which as such he may be 
entitled to wear.* The ordinary mourning-badge to be 
worn by brothers, in memory of a deceased brother, is 
a strip of black crape passed through one button-hole 
of the left lappel of the coat, and tied with a narrow 
riband of the color of the highest degree to which the 
wearer has attained. 

Past officers and members in possession of Encamp- 
ment Degrees, and all other members of the Order, 
when visiting Grand or subordinate Lodges, are enti- 
tled to wear the regalia and jewels pertaining to the 
highest degree which they have taken. 

All processions and balls, or other ceremonies at 

which the regalia and jewels, and other emblems of 

* The Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment of a State may per- 
mit the Lodge or Encampment regalia to be worn at funerals, 
either in connection with or as a substitute for the above. 



213 

the Order, are to be used, must be sanctioned by the 
Grand Lodge, or, in its recess, by the Grand Master. 
And all publications made in the newspapers, calling 
on the Order to appear in regalia, unless authorized as 
above specified, are improper, and contrary to the law 
of the Grand Lodge of the United States. And the 
unauthorized use of the name of the Order is strictly 
'prohibited. 

It is a matter of much gratification that, within the last 
few years, the brotherhood has so far seen the impropri- 
ety of too much display, as to regard the wishes of the 
Grand Lodge respecting public demonstrations. The 
ceremonies and processions of the Order are now com- 
paratively rare, and are almost invariably directed or 
allowed by a State Grand body. Thus they are ren- 
dered serviceably attractive, and being less frequent, 
are more largely attended. With respect to the atten- 
dance at funerals of brothers deceased, what can be 
more in keeping with the solemnity of the occasion 
than the simple, unassuming, yet expressive black crape 
rosette and the sprig of evergreen ? 



214 



THE T. P. W. 

This was adopted for the protection of the Order, 
and is one of the tests by which travelling-brothers are 
proven. It is designed for the use of brethren who are 
travelling beyond the limits of the jurisdiction of Lodges 
or Encampments to which they belong; and all Noble- 
Grands and Vice-Grands of Lodges, and all Chief- 
Patriarchs and Senior Wardens of Encampments, are 
possessed of it, in order that they may be qualified either 
to give or receive it. The Grand-Master and Grand- 
Patriarch of a state, and their regular deputies, possess 
it ; and none other than members who are placed in 
some of the positions above mentioned are entitled to 
receive it. It is originated by the Grand- Sire, is 
changed yearly, and goes into use on the first day of 
January of each year. It is communicated by the 
Grand-Sire to the Grand Representatives at each an- 
nual session, and delivered by them in their several 
states to the Grand-Master and Grand-Patriarch, who 
deliver it to their deputies, and through them to the 
officers of Lodges and Encampments, as above stated. 

Brothers who may procure a visiting or travelling 
card for the purpose of obtaining admission into Lodges 
or Camps of other states, receive it in connection with 
the card. As a general rule, it can only be given by a 
Noble-Grand or Chief-Patriarch to the members of 
their own bodies respectively; but when brothers are 
called from home suddenly, without time to make per- 
sonal application for their visiting-cards, it is customary 
to accompany the card, when sent to the brother, by a 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 21 5 

letter, over the seal of the Lodge or Encampment, from 
the principal officer of the body granting it, to the 
Noble-Grand or Chief-Patriarch of some Lodge or 
Camp in the place where the travelling brother is tem- 
porarily resident, conveying (through said letter) a 
request that the T. P. W. be communicated to the 
brother, who will, of course, be entitled to receive it in 
such manner. 



CARDS. 

A brother who may desire to visit other Lodges 
or Camps out of his district, or who may wish to with- 
draw from his Lodge or Encampment, receives a card, 
certifying that he is entitled to the privileges and ad- 
vantages of an Odd-Fellow. Any brother who may 
wish to withdraw from the Order, can at any time do 
so by offering to his Lodge a written resignation ; he 
is not bound, in such case, to take a card of with- 
drawal. If he shall take a withdrawal-card, which is 
always good for one year (during which time he may 
become a member of any other Lodge or Camp), 
he is amenable during that year to the Lodge or Camp 
whence the card emanated, " whose duty it is to watch 
over his conduct."* These cards are furnished by 
the Grand Lodge of the United States, and are signed 
by the Secretary of that body. They are also signed 
by the Noble-Grand and Secretary of a Lodge, or the 
Chief-Patriarch and Scribe of an Encampment, grant- 
ing them. And they must always be signed, also, in 

* The Lodge or Encampment granting a visiting or with- 
drawal card, has power to recall or annul the same for good 
cause. — Digest, p. 37. 



216 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

the margin, by the names of the brothers receiving 
them. The wife or widow of a member of a subordi- 
nate Lodge may, by a vote of two thirds of the mem- 
bers present, receive a card, expressly adapted for her 
use, by the Grand Lodge of the United States, which 
is to be signed in manner above noted, with the addition 
of the signature of the Vice-Grand. Such card, granted 
to the wife of a member, can not remain in force more 
than one year; but if granted to a widow, it continues 
valid during her widowhood. The following is the 
form of this card : — 

" Friendship, Love, and Truth. 
♦'INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS. 

** To ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, GREETING: 

" This certifies that Mrs. E. C, whose name is endorsed on 
the margin of this card in her own proper handwriting, is the wife 
[or the widow] of our well-beloved brother, who is [or was] a 
member of Lodge No. — , held at blank, and working under 
authority of a charter duly granted by authority of the Right 
Worthy Grand Lodge of the state of blank. We therefore rec- 
ommend her to your friendship and protection wherever she 
may be, throughout the world, for the space of blank, and no 
longer. 

" In witness whereof, we have subscribed our names, and 
affixed the seal of our Lodge, this blank day of blank, in the 
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one. 
[l. s.] " A. B., Noble-Grand. 

" C. D., Vice-Grand. 

" G. F., Secretary." 

The object of furnishing this recommendation is one 
wnich must commend itself to the approbation of all 
men. She who possesses it is entitled to receive the 
friendship and protection of those who claim the privi- 
lege of watching, not only over their brethren, but also 
over all who are near and dear to those brethren. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 217 



BROTHERS TRAVELLING.* 

A brother travelling, who may desire to visit a 
Lodge or Encampment, must be in possession of a 
card and the T. P. W. He presents himself at the 
door, and sends his card to the presiding officer, who 
appoints a committee of three to examine the visiter. 
In a Lodge, one member of this committee must be 
either the Noble-Grand himself, the Vice-Grand, or a 
brother known to be in possession of the T. P. W., and 
the other two members must be of the Scarlet Degree. 
In an Encampment, one member must be either the 
Chief-Patriarch himself, the Senior Warden, or a pa- 
triarch known to be in possession of the T. P. W., 
and the other members must be of the Royal-Purple 
Degree. These committees examine the brother in 
the T. P. W., and in the Degree in which the Lodge 
or Encampment is open ; and, if satisfied, introduce 
him to the meeting. Brothers can visit Lodges or 
Encampments without this form, if introduced by a 
Grand Representative, or other elective Grand Officer, 
of the jurisdiction under which they wish to visit. In 
no other way, except as above stated, can a brother 
enter a Lodge or Encampment to which he is not 
attached, unless it be located in the state or jurisdiction 
in which his own Lodge or Encampment is working. 
It is important that this fact be well understood by 
Odd-Fellows. 

* When a travelling card is granted to a brother not beneficial 
from any cause, the Secretary should be particular in stating the 
fact; otherwise, should the brother be taken sick and apply to any 
Lodge or Encampment for benefits, the body issuing the card must 
refund the amount advanced. 



218 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 



RESOLUTIONS 

Of the Grand Lodge of the United States on the 
restoration of suspended members, passed at the Annual 
Communication of that body in the city of Baltimore, 
September, 1870, which supersede all laws of Grand or 
Subordinate Lodges or Encampments, and must govern 
in all cases of restoration of suspended members. 

Resolved, That a member of the Order who becomes in arrears 
for dues for the period of one year, may be suspended or dropped 
from membership, but he cannot be expelled from the Order on 
account of being in arrears for dues. 

Resolved, That a member suspended or dropped from member- 
ship for non-payment of dues, may be reinstated in the Lodge 
or Encampment from which he has been suspended or dropped, 
within one year after suspension, by paying the amount of one 
year's dues, and being reinstated in the manner prescribed by 
the local law. 

Resolved, That after one year from the date of suspension, a 
member dropped or suspended for non-payment of dues may be 
reinstated upon the payment of the fee charged for an initiate 
of the same age, as prescribed by the By-Laws. 

Resolved, That a. member suspended or dropped from member- 
ship for non-payment of dues, and who makes application for 
reinstatement and for a withdrawal card, for the purpose of 
uniting with another Lodge or Encampment in the same juris- 
diction, may be reinstated and granted a final card at any time 
within five years from the date of suspension, upon the payment 
of one year's dues and the usual price of a card. 

Resolved, That a member suspended or dropped for non-pay- 
ment of dues, after five years' suspension, wishing to join a 
Lodge or Encampment in the same jurisdiction, shall be entitled 
to receive, and the Lodge or Encampment shall grant, upon 
proper application, a Dismissal Certificate, upon the receipt of 
one dollar. 

Resolved, That a member suspended or dropped for non-pay- 
ment of dues, wishing to regain membership in another jurisdic- 
tion than that in which he was suspended or dropped, shall be 
entitled to receive, and the Lodge or Encampment to which he 
belonged shall grant, upon proper application, a Dismissal Cer- 
tificate upon the receipt of one dollar. 

Resolved, That in all cases wherein a Lodge or Encampment 
has refused to reinstate a member suspended or dropped for 
non-payment of dues, he shall be entitled to receive, and the 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 219 

Lodge or Encampment shall, upon proper application, grant a 
Dismissal Certificate upon the receipt of one dollar. 

Resolved, That where the books of an extinct Lodge or En- 
campment have been lost or destroyed, the Grand Secretary or 
Grand Scribe, as the case may be, upon being satisfied of the 
good standing of any member of such extinct Lodge or Encamp- 
ment, may issue to him a card of withdrawal. Where the books 
of a defunct Lodge or Encampment are in the possession of a 
Grand Scribe or Grand Secretary, he may issue cards to former 
members of the defunct Subordinate; such cards shall have the 
same privilege as a card issued by an existing Subordinate. 

Resolved, That Dismissal Certificates may be received upon 
deposit in any Lodge or Encampment, as the case may be, but 
the privilege of visiting a Lodge or Encampment shall not be 
awarded to the holder of a Dismissal Certificate. The Certificate 
shall be provided by the Grand Corresponding and Recording 
Secretary, and be sold as other supplies are sold, and at the 
same rate as Cards. Dismissal Certificates shall be in the form 
following, to wit: 

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS. 

To all whom it may concern, Fraternally Greeting : 

This Certifies that was admitted to member- 
ship in , No. , at , in the 

State of , on the day of , 

18 , and by , and that he retained his mem- 
bership in said until the day of , 

18 , when he was suspended for non-payment of dues, and he 

is entirely dismissed from membership in said 

In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names 
and affixed the seal of the , this day of 

, A. D. 18.. 

[seal.] 

Resolved, That all laws, or provisions thereof, that are incon- 
sistent with the above General Laws, conditions, and regula- 
tions, are hereby abrogated or repealed. 

Resolved, That in cases where the law makes it obligatory upon 
Lodges to grant Dismissal Certificates to brothers suspended or 
dropped for non-payment of dues, it shall be the duty of the 
Noble-Grand and Recording Secretary to issue such certificates, 
upon proper application in open Lodge and payment of the fee, 
without a vote of the Lodge. 

Resolved, That non-affiliated Odd-Fellows who have been regu- 
larly initiated in the Order, and have retained membership 
therein for at least ten consecutive years, and who, at the time 
of making application for reinstatement or membership, shall 
be over fifty years of age, may be admitted to membership in 
any Lodge or Encampment, as non-beneficial members, upon 
such terms as the local law may prescribe. 



220 THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



CEREMONY OF LAYING THE CORNER- 
STONE OF AN ODD-FELLOWS' HALL. 

The Grand Lodge Officers and Brethren having assembled in the 
Lodge-room, or some appropriate place adjacent to the new 
building, will proceed in procession in due form to the place 
of the ceremony, passing three times around it, if the site is 
convenient. The G. M. and assistants will then take their place 
upon a raised platform. When no Grand Officer is present, the 
ceremony may be performed by the N. G., or a P. G. appointed 
by him for the purpose. 

6r. M. We have assembled to-day, my brethren, 
upon an interesting and important occasion. Another 
temple of our Order is to be raised, and we are here 
to lay its corner-stone, to proclaim before the world 
the object to which it is to be dedicated, and to invoke 
the Divine blessing upon the undertaking. Let us feel 
deeply the solemnity of the occasion. By this act we 
pledge ourselves, before God and man, not only to com- 
plete this edifice and keep it sacred to the purposes of 
the Order, but to practise truly and conscientiously 
within its walls the virtues which we, as Odd-Fellows, 
profess to follow and illustrate. The work now com- 
menced must be achieved by patient industry and per- 
severance, and also by pure and beautiful lives led by 
those who beneath this roof shall hear the lessons of 
wisdom and humanity. Labor earnestly, brethren, in 
the work of the Order; practise, botli before the eyes 
of men and in secret, constantly, its beneficent prin- 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 221 

ciples ; for, if you do not, the memory of this day will 
rise in testimony against you, and this stone will ever 
rest beneath your feet, a silent but living witness of 
your dereliction. Let us now unite with our R. W. G. 
Chaplain in soliciting the Divine blessing on the work 
in which we are engaged. 

Gr. 0. We beseech thee, Heavenly Father, to look 
down upon us in mercy and loving-kindness. Guide 
our steps, direct our hands, purify our hearts, and ele- 
vate our thoughts, so that our labor may be fit for thy 
pure eyes to look upon. And to thee shall be the glory 
and praise forever. Amen. 

R. So may it be ! 

The G. S. will then read the record to be deposited in the stone, 
with a list of the documents, &c. accompanying it. The G. M. 
will descend to the stone, receive from the Architect the box, 
place it in the cavity of the stone, and adjust the lid. The stone 
will then be fitted accurately in its place at or near the N. E. 
angle of the building. 

Gr. M. [Pouring a libation of water on the stone.) In 
Friendship I lay this stone, earnestly praying that 
while it retains its place among its fellows in the firm 
wall, the brethren who assemble here may be as firmly 
bound together in the bonds of Friendship, cordial 
and sincere. 

R. So may it be ! 

Gr. 31. (Strewing flowers.) In Love I lay this stone, 
earnestly praying that as it underlies and supports the 
edifice, so may Love lie at the bottom of our hearts, 
and support the whole superstructure of our lives. 

R. So may it be ! 

Gr. 31. (Strewing wheat.) In Truth I lay this stone, 
earnestly praying that unblemished Truth and Honor 



222 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

may ever reign here supreme, and govern all that is 
here said and done. 

R. So may it be ! 

Gr. M. (Giving three bloivs of the gavel upon the 
stone.) In the name of Benevolence and Charity I lay 
this stone. And may God in his mercy grant that it 
may never be removed, so long as Benevolence and 
Charity are dear to the hearts of men! 

R. So may it be ! 

The Architect will then deliver a trowel with mortar to the G. M., 
who shall spread it upon the corner-stone, and fix thereon a 
corresponding stone. 

Gr. M. As this cement binds together ^the stones 
of the wall, so may the cement of brotherly affection 
bind us together during all the days of our lives here 
below; and so may the cement of the Divine Love, in 
our Father's own good time, unite us as living stones 
in the Temple above, the "house not made with 
hands, eternal in the heavens!" 

R. So may it be! 

The G. M. will return to his place upon the platform, when pro- 
clamation will be made by the D. G. M. 

D. a. M. By direction of the M. W. G. M., I declare 
this corner-stone duly laid according to regular and 
ancient form ; and the building that is to rise upon it 
devoted to the principles and work of Odd-Fellowship. 

Gr. Q. Almighty and All-merciful Architect of 
Heaven and Earth, who spake, and it was done ; who 
commanded, and it stood fast; speak, we pray Thee, 
the word of encouragement, by Thy Spirit, to animate 
and strengthen those who shall build upon this corner- 
stone a Temple of Humanity, that they may trust in 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 223 

Thee. And command, we beseech Thee, the resources 
of Thy servants, that their strength and spirit fail not 
until they complete this building, and dedicate it, with 
their lives, to the practice of Friendship, the works 
of Love,^nd the word of Truth. May it rise from 
its foundation wise in provisions, strong in adjust- 
ments, and beautiful in proportion, a Temple meet for 
an habitation of Thy Spirit, which is Love, and Thy 
word, which is Truth; a fit home for a brotherhood 
of Friends, whose works are works of Benevolence 
and Charity. 

Bless, God of Grace, the laborers hereon, with 
Thy protection, that they may work in safety and re- 
pose in peace; with Thy Spirit, that they may labor 
together in harmony and love ; with Thy salvation, that, 
having wrought together on earth, they may hereafter 
rest together in the smiles of Thy favor forever. 

And bless, Heavenly Father, our wide-spread fra- 
ternity everywhere, with Thy wisdom to guide, Thy 
power to aid, and Thy love to bless our works to their 
own edification and the welfare of our race. Build up 
each member thereof on that great Foundation — that 
corner-stone elect and precious — which Thou hast laid 
in Zion, and make him a blessing and a praise in Thy 
sight for evermore. Graciously and tenderly be with 
the poor and needy, the stranger and him who has none 
to help; with the widow, whose God Thou art; and 
with the orphan, to whom Thou art especially a Father. 
Bless all classes and conditions of men, according to 
their various wants and the abundance of Thy good- 
ness and mercy. 

Be pleased, our Father, to remember us indi- 
vidually in much mercy, Forgive our sins ; redeem 

Jo 



224 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

us from iniquity; make us zealous and fruitful in good 
works; and finally save us and the world with an ever- 
lasting salvation, that we may ascribe unto Thee all 
praise and blessing, honor and glory, in a day without 
night, and world without end. Amen. 

Gr. 31. Brethren of . . . ., the solemn ceremonies of 
the occasion are concluded, and we have done our work. 
The rest remains with you. To you we leave it, in the 
fullest confidence that it will be completed and our 
hopes fulfilled. Work faithfully in accordance with 
the principles of our beloved Order, and your success 
is certain. When next the authorities of the Order 
visit you, may it be beneath the roof of a temple worthy 
of you, worthy of them, and worthy of the beneficent 
principles which it is our covenanted duty to promul- 
gate and establish. 

Gr. 0. The Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord 
make his face to shine upon you. and be gracious unto 
you; the Lord lift up his fatherly countenance upon 
you, and give you peace. Amen. 



CEREMONY OF LAYING THE CORNER- 
STONE OF A CHURCH, ACADEMY, 
OR OTHER PUBLIC EDIFICE. 

The following form is provided for oooasions in whioh, :is not, 
unfrequently happens, the Order is invited to assist in laying the 
corner stone of a public building. The procession, &o. are the 
same as in the previous chapter, but the oeremonial must of 
necessity differ in some respeots. As it will generally be per- 
formed by individual Lodges, the Officers of suoh Lodges are 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 225 

designated. The uses of the building differing according to 
circumstances, some latitude must be allowed to the N. G. and 
Chaplain in varying the language of the ritual accordingly. 

iV 7 ". 6r. Brethren, we are here assembled to-day, in 
accordance with the invitation of a body of our fellow- 
citizens, to assist them in laying the corner-stone of 
this edifice with solemn ceremonies, and thereby im- 
pressively devoting it to the purposes to which it is to 
be kept sacred. And we are here cheerfully and readily, 
because in every good work our Order claims an interest 
and participation. Whatever tends to elevate the cha- 
racter of man, to render him wiser, better, or happier, 
we cannot regard with indifference. Our sole object 
being the improvement and elevation of humanity, we 
have a cordial sympathy with all movements tending 
toward the same blessed end. While holding firmly 
and faithfully to our beloved Order, as one of the means 
in the hand of Providence for the attainment of this 
great object, we are still happy to be enabled thus to 
encourage by our presence and by the use of our ritual 
all who are engaged in other enterprises conceived in 
the same view. Thus it is, that wherever pious hearts 
seek to raise an altar of praise to the Father of spirits, 
be their denomination what it may; w T herever the phi- 
lanthropic seek to found an institution of Benevolence 
and Charity ; wherever the public-spirited seek to ele- 
vate a temple to science and learning, there the true 
Odd-Fellow rejoices to be aiding and assisting with all 
the means in his power: for to all these enterprises he 
wishes a hearty God-speed. 

Friends and fellow-citizens : The duty you have thus 
honored us by imposing upon us, is one that we perform 
most gladly, for the reasons just mentioned. Our 



226 THE ODD-FELLOWS' text-book. 

charity is not, as has falsely been asserted, narrow and 
restricted. In the recesses of our mystic temple, we 
are taught the duty of universal philanthropy and of an 
all-embracing charity. Our hearts are therefore with 
you, because they are with the objects you have in view, 
and with the sentiments by which you are actuated. 
We desire to feel and to have you all feel that we are 
co-workers with you for the elevation and blessing of 
mankind, as brethren of the same great family. Our 
methods may be peculiar, and to some they may appear 
strange; but we ask to be judged with a righteous 
judgment, and not by outward appearance alone. To 
us these forms have a deep and beautiful significance, 
and they will present the same to you, if you contem- 
plate them thoughtfully and without the spirit of pre- 
judice. Give us, then, your friendly attention, while 
we proceed in our appointed labor. 

0. Be with us, we pray thee, God, in this our 
labor of love. Direct all our sayings and doings, ani- 
mate us by thy Spirit, and guide us by thy most holy 
power. Correct all that is amiss in us, and lead us 
according to thy Divine will, so that all our works may 
redound to thy praise and the good of our brethren of 
mankind. Amen. 

The documents placed in the stone will then be read, after which 
the N. G. and C. will descend to the stone, and assist in depositing 
it in its place at the N. E. angle of the building. They will be 
attended by three brethren bearing the appropriate vessels. 

N. Gr. (Pouring water.) In the name of Friendship 
I lay this stone, praying that true Friendship may be 
spread abroad among men, until all strife and con- 
tention shall be lost in a divine harmony and peace. 

Q. May God in his mercy so grant it. Amen. 



TEXT-BOOK. 227 

A 7 . Cr. (Strewing flowers.) In the name of Love I 
lay this stone, praying that the spirit of Love may be 
shed abroad in all hearts, until all men shall know 
each other as children of the one Father of the spirits 
of all flesh. 

O. May God in his mercy so grant it. Amen. 

iV. Gr. (Strewing wheat.) In the name of Truth I lay 
this stone, praying that Truth and Right may be known 
and established everywhere, and that as they rest firmly 
upon the Rock of Ages, so the building here to be 
raised may rest firmly upon this stone, and the storms 
of time shall not prevail against it. 

C. May God in his mercy so grant it. Amen. 

iV. Gr. (Griving three bloivs with the gavel.) In the 
name of Benevolence and Charity, as professed uni- 
versally by the Order of Odd-Fellows, I lay this stone, 
and fix it in the solid wall, whence may it be no more 
removed forever. 

C. Accept, Almighty Father, the work of our 
hands and the offering of our hearts. Bless and con- 
secrate this edifice to its noble and praiseworthy pur- 
poses. Prosper those who are engaged in this enter- 
prise, and imbue them with the competency of thy 
grace. Protect, by thy Divine power, those who shall 
here labor, that they suffer not in life or limb. Let all 
herein concerned feel that without thee, the builders 
build in vain ; and teach them to look to thee, from 
whom alone must their help come. Bless, we entreat 
thee, our beloved Order, and overrule all its works to 
thy praise and glory. Be with the sick, the afflicted, 
the needy, the widow, and the fatherless, in the tender- 
ness of thy mercy. Bless, we beseech thee, all kinds 
and conditions of men, and bring the ends of the earth 



228 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

to a knowledge of thee. Forgive our sins, blot out our 
transgressions, keep us from falling, and finally receive 
us into that great company that no tongue can number, 
to the end that to thee only we may ascribe honor and 
glory and power, now and forever. Amen. 

The Officers will then return to the platform. 

iV. Gr. We have thus, my friends, completed our task, 
and return your building into your hands. So far as 
we could, we have solemnly initiated your good work. 
Carry it on in the spirit in which you have commenced 
it, and may the Father of mercies prosper you in it, 
and bless it with a speedy completion. 

The Oration provided for the occasion will now be in place, after 
which the brethren will retire as they came. 



FORM OF DEDICATION OF AN ODD-FEL- 
LOWS' HALL OR LODGE-ROOM. 

This ceremony may be performed in presence of a general audience, 
or in a Lodge-room, with closed doors. If others than members 
are present, the honors will be omitted, and the Grand Officers 
will enter in due procession, and take their appropriate seats. 
If admission is restricted to members of the Order, a Lodge will 
first be opened in due form, and Guardians stationed at the doors 
The Grand Lodge Officers, properly clothed, will form in another 
apartment, and approach the outer door at which theG. Herald 
will give the usual alarm. 

0. G-. Who comes there? 

a. H. The M. W. G. M. and other Officers of the 
R. W. Grand Lodge of , who desire to be ad- 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 229 

mitted, in the name of F., L., and T., for the purpose 
of dedicating this Hall to the uses of the I. 0. of 0. F., 
and the diffusion of the principles of Benevolence and 
Charity. 

0. Gr. Enter, in the name of F., L., and T. 

The same dialogue will occur at the inner door, with the I. G., 
after which the Grand Lodge Officers will enter the room, and 
take their respective seats, the three brethren appointed aa 
Heralds having seats in front of the G. M., when the grand honors 
will be given. The building will then be delivered to the G. M. 
as follows, by the N. G., (or Chairman of the Building Commit- 
tee,) who deposits the keys of the same upon the pedestal. 

iV. Gr. M. W. G. M., the work in which we have 
been engaged is now completed, and our temple is at 
last ready to shelter us within its walls. But we first 
desire that you should set it apart for its sacred uses, 
and dedicate it to the purposes of Benevolence and 
Charity, according to the solemn rites of our Order; 
and we therefore deliver it into your hands. 

Gr. M. Brethren, I congratulate you upon the com- 
pletion of this beautiful edifice, which we are about to 
dedicate to those cardinal virtues which should adorn 
and elevate humanity, and whose names we have se- 
lected as the motto and watchword of our beloved 
Order. Beneath this roof you are to encourage one 
another in the duties of benevolence and charity; 
before this altar the good works of F., L., and T. are 
ever to be presented as the only acceptable sacrifice. 
From hence, as from a perennial fountain, are to flow 
the gentle streams of true Friendship, to gladden and 
make green many waste places. In this quiet retreat 
are to be cultivated those flowers that Love unfeigned 
bhall scatter, on the rugged pathway of life, under many 



230 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

bleeding feet. Here is to be sown the good seed of 
Truth in many hearts, to spring up and yield its hundred- 
fold harvest. It is, therefore, not so much this temple 
made with hands that should occupy our attention at 
present, as the great principles that are here to be 
disseminated. I hope and trust, brethren, that our 
united efforts, with those of our brethren throughout 
the globe, may lead to the raising and adorning of a 
still nobler Temple, which shall be consecrated by the 
approval of the Supreme Grand Master of the Universe, 
without the invocation of whose blessing no work should 
be undertaken. 

Gr. 0. Almighty God, the Maker of all worlds ! whom 
we are taught in the abounding mercy of the later 
dispensation to approach more nearly, and call by the 
tender name, Father ! we would humbly draw near and 
beg thy blessing on the work in which we are engaged. 
Whatever is amiss in us, do thou make right by thy 
Divine power, and in all things do thou overrule our 
thoughts and deeds to thy greater glory and the good 
of our fellow-men. Amen. 

Psalm cxxii. 

G. M. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the 
house of the Lord ! 

R. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, Jerusalem ! 

G. M. Jerusalem is built as a city that is at unity in itself. 

R. Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the 
testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. 

G. 31. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the 
house of David. 

R. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that 
love thee. 

G. M. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy 
palaces. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 231 

R. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, 
Peace be within thee ! 

G. M. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek thy 
good. 

R. So may it be. 

The Lodge being called up, the brethren will unite in singing the 
Ode, "Brethren of our Friendly Order," &c. The Heralds will 
then present themselves before the G. M., and receive from him, 
the first, a goblet of pure water, the second, a vase of fresh 
flowers, and the third, a cup filled with wheat; after which they 
will take their stations around the altar in the centre of the Lodge- 
room, on which rest the Holy Bible and the Charter of the Lodge. 

Ci. M. The brethren will be attentive while our 
Heralds dedicate this Hall, with solemn ceremonies, to 
the principles and uses of our honorabl-e Order. 
Heralds, you will proceed in the performance of your 
duties. 

First Herald. In the name of Friendship, as pure, 
refreshing, and life-giving as this water, (sprinkling it,) 
I dedicate this Hall to the practice of that ennobling 
virtue, which, uniting men as brethren, teaches them 
to sustain that relation at all times, each in his turn 
helping and helped, blessing and blessed. 

Gr. M. Remember ever, brethren, that sweet as the 
gushing fountain to the weary pilgrim on the parched 
and sandy desert, is the smile of a friend to the wan- 
derer in life's thorny wilderness. 

6r. C. Grant, Heavenly Father, that we may each 
so live that the spiritual temple in our hearts shall be 
also sprinkled with the pure water of the River of Life, 
the streams whereof make glad the City of our God. 
Amen. 

Response by the Brethren. So may it be. 

Second Herald. In the name of Love, which, like 



232 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

these flowers, (streiving them,) fills the common air 
with fragrance, and beautifies all on which it falls, I 
dedicate this Hall to the practice of that highest virtue, 
which is in itself the fulfilling of the law, teaching us 
to visit the widow and the fatherless in their affliction, 
to bind up the broken heart, and to let the oppressed 
go free. 

Gr. M. Remember ever, brethren, that as the fra- 
grance of the opening blossoms restores the vigor of the 
exhausted body, so do the gentle ministrations of love 
recall life and strength to the fainting spirit. 

Gr. C. Grant, Heavenly Father, that we may all 
so direct our walk and conversation as to hasten the 
coming of the happy day when the wilderness of man's 
nature shall blossom as the rose, so that on our dying 
beds angel hands may scatter blossoms from the Tree 
of Life. Amen. 

R. So may it be. 

Third Herald. (Scattering wheat.) In the name of 
Truth, which, like the grain sown broadcast on the 
earth, springs up again an hundredfold, for future use 
and blessing, I dedicate this Hall to the practice of 
that most ennobling virtue, which lies at the foundation 
of all other virtues, and which, devoid of guile and 
hypocrisy, teaches us sincerity and plain-dealing in all 
our communications, and earnestness in the inculcation 
of whatever is good and true. 

Gr. M. Remember ever, brethren, that as this grain 
furnishes the staff of the bodily life, so does Truth the 
staff of the Spiritual life, without which the inward man 
pines and perishes. 

Gr. C. Grant, Heavenly Father, that the seeds of 
Truth that are here sown may fall only upon good 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 233 

ground, springing up and bearing fruit unto life eternal. 
Amen. 

R. So may it be. 

First Herald. May we be enabled to practise these 
most noble virtues, bound in the threefold links of the 
golden chain of brotherly aifection, and may we be 
always actuated by the blessed spirit of that Friend- 
ship that speaks the Truth in Love. 

G. M. "Let brotherly love continue !" As brothers 
may we together cultivate all those virtues that adorn 
humanity; as brothers may we pass through the jour- 
ney of life ; and as brothers enter, in fraternal embrace, 
the dark valley of the shadow of death. 

Gc. C. And may brotherly love continue beyond the 
tomb ! When He who sent us shall have called us 
home to render our final account, may we all meet as 
brothers in that house not made with hands, in that 
celestial Lodge whose members no tongue can number, 
and the Master of which is the Father of the spirits 
of all flesh. 

First Herald. In the name of the Great Creator 
of the Universe, unto whom all hearts belong, and 
whose All-seeing Eye watches over every action, we 
dedicate this Hall to the purposes of Benevolence 
and Charity. 

Second Herald. In the name of the Giver of every 
good gift, to whom we are day by day indebted for all 
that crowns our life with blessing, and who has given 
us for our guide the Golden Rule, we dedicate this 
Hall to the visitation of the sick and the relief of the 
distressed. 

Third Herald. In the name of the Heavenly Father, 
without whom not a sparrow falls to the ground, and 



234 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

who has promised us that in the day of sore trial He 
will be the Father of the fatherless, and the widow's 
God, we dedicate this Hall to the burial of the dead, 
the relief of the widow, and the education of the 
orphan. 

6r. C. We humbly beseech thee, God, to bless the 
work in which we have now been engaged. Let the 
lessons we have received sink deep into our hearts, so 
that this shall have been to us no idle ceremony, but 
a means of edification in righteousness, and truth, and 
humanity. May we all leave this place with our good 
resolutions strengthened, our charities enlarged, and 
our hearts expanded in all-embracing love toward our 
brethren of every tongue and clime. Bless, Heavenly 
Father, the Order of which we are members. Aid us 
in the good work of Benevolence and Charity, to which 
we are pledged, and give direction and success to our 
efforts. Bless this edifice in the promotion of the good 
objects to which it has this day been set apart. Let 
thy protecting care be over the brethren who here shall 
meet together. Keep their feet upon the right path, 
and guide them by thy power in the way everlasting. 
Make them faithful to their duties, and zealous in every 
good word and work, so that when the solemn close of 
life comes, the soul of each may be stayed upon thee, 
in the hope of the gospel of redeeming love. And unto 
thee, our God and Father, be ascribed glory and do- 
minion and power, world without end. Amen. 

R. So may it be! 

The brethren will then unite in singing the Dedication Ode No. 1, 
after which the Heralds will advance to the pedestal, and deposit 
their vases. 

First Herald. M. W. G. M., in obedience to your 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 235 

instructions, we have duly dedicated this Hall to the 
principles and work of Odd-Fellowship. 

Cr. M. This Hall being duly dedicated, according to 
the solemn rites of our Order, the brethren will be 
attentive while our R. W. D. G. M. and G. W. make 
proclamation of the same. 

D. Gr. M. In the name of the R. W. Grand Lodge of 

the State of , and by direction of' the 

M. W. G. M. of the same, I declare this Hall dedicated 
and set apart to the good purposes of Odd-Fellowship : 
to the dissemination of Friendship, Love, and Truth: 
to the cultivation of the principles of Benevolence 
and Charity: to the protection of the widow and the 
fatherless, and the relief of all worthy and distressed 
brethren ! 

R. So may it be. 

The Gr. W. will repeat the same from his station, after which the 
brethren will sing Ode No. 2. 

Gi. M. {First calling down the L.) My brethren, I 
trust that the solemn ceremonies of this occasion may 
not be lost upon our hearts. In setting apart this Hall 
for its noble purposes, we have renewed our vows to 
practise conscientiously the lessons of our belovedOrder. 
Let us never forget the imperative command of our 
laws, "to visit the sick, to relieve the distressed, to 
bury the dead, and to educate the orphan." Let us 
not forget, moreover, that, beside these good works of 
charity, Odd-Fellowship has high and important lessons 
to inculcate; lessons that, if attentively listened to and 
practised by all, would elevate the character of man, 
and hasten the coming of the promised day of universal 
peace and love. Brethren of , we now again 



236 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

deliver into your hands this beautiful temple you have 
elevated to our Order. Joy be within its walls, and 
Peace a constant guest! May these walls never echo 
with the sound of an angry or unkind word ! May all 
the influences that flow hence be good and for good, 
now and forever ! Amen. 

K. So may it be ! 

Cf. 0. Now unto Him who is able to keep you from 
falling, and to present you faultless before the presence 
of his glory with exceeding joy, I commend you and the 
whole family of man. And to Him, the only wise God, 
our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, 
now and forever. Amen. 

The L. will then be raised, and the Grand Lodge Officers will 
retire in due form, after which the L. will close. 



FORM OF DEDICATION OF AN ODD-FEL- 
LOWS' CEMETERY OR BURIAL-LOT.* 

The brethren having assembled in some appropriate place in the 
vicinity of the Cemetery, a procession will be formed in due 
order, and proceed to the place selected for the ceremony, passing 
around the ground three times, if the situation permits. The 
Officers will take their station upon a raised platform. 

Gr. M. It is not necessary that I should remind any 
good and faithful Odd-Fellow that the great primal 

* This form is framed for the use of a Grand Lodge or its Officers. 
It may be used, however, by a D. D. G. M., or by the N. G. of a 
Lodge, when circumstances prevent the attendance of the Grand 
Officers. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 237 

command of our Order is fourfold, and includes four 
principal heads of duty. Equal in prominence and 
binding force to any of the others, is the solemn injunc- 
tion to " bury the dead." In order to understand why 
the founders of our Brotherhood insisted so strongly 
upon this important duty, we must recur to the fact that 
it had its origin among a poor and oppressed population, 
where the hard struggle of a brave and virtuous life too 
often ended in an unpitied death and a pauper's grave. 
Therefore it was that when men first bound themselves 
together in mutual helpfulness, under the then singular 
name of Odd-Fellows, they entered into a solemn cove- 
nant to provide each member and his wife, at their 
death, with the means of decent Christian sepulture. 
To the praise of our Order, this duty has never been 
neglected. Large sums are annually expended in its 
due performance. Not only has want been relieved, 
sickness alleviated, and the eyes of the dying closed in 
peace by friendly hands, but the care of the brethren 
has followed him to his place of sepulture, and a crowd 
of sympathizing friends has stood around the poor man's 
open grave. Not only has the sufferer, fallen faint by 
the wayside, been lifted up and ministered unto with 
kindliest offices, but men have often been made to 
wonder on seeing a band of mourning brethren follow 
to the tomb a stranger, unknown to any in their neigh- 
borhood except in the bonds of our mystic tie. This 
is as it should be, and as I trust it ever will be. The 
comparative easiness of condition of the brethren in our 
more favored land, does not lighten one jot the obliga- 
tion of this duty. In the great and just equality of 
our Order, the same provision is made for all, and to 
all must it be promptly and without stint extended. 



238 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

But the closeness with which we are drawn together 
in life in the bonds of our brotherhood, has created also 
a desire that there should be provided for our mortal 
remains a common resting-place, where we may lie 
down together to await the solemn summons of the 
Great Day, and where the poor and needy as well as the 
stranger may repose among brethren and no longer be 
thrust out as unclean things. Apart from the con- 
sideration of economy in obtaining a cheap and beau- 
tiful place of burial, (while the great cost of interment, 
especially in cities and large towns, renders it otherwise 
an onerous tax upon the survivors,) there is a justness 
and propriety in this arrangement, which commends it 
to the heart of every sincere brother. Already, in 
contemplating our fraternity, men have been made to 
say, as they did of the early Christians, "Behold how 
these love one another!" Let them also be made to 
say, as David did of Saul and Jonathan, "In life they 
were joined together, in death they are not divided!" 

And now, brethren, we are met to dedicate to its 
sacred uses this city of the dead, this "God's-acre," 
as our thoughtful ancestors fitly named it. Remember 
that this dedication is no unmeaning rite. It means 
that this ground is solemnly set apart, in covenant with 
God and man, to its holy purposes, never to be diverted 
to any other until the last trumpet shall sound and the 
dead shall arise incorruptible. To the attainment of 
which end let us now unite in supplicating the Divine 
blessing. 

Gr. C. Be with us, Gocl, in the solemn services of 
this day. Compose our thoughts into the solemn sober- 
ness that befits the occasion. Purify our hearts, elevate 
our desires, and make us fit for thy service. Bless, we 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 239 

beseech thee, the work in which we are engaged, and 
give us strength to keep in faithfulness forever the 
obligations we now assume. Amen. 

Gr. 31. The brethren will be attentive while our R. W. 
D. G. M. dedicates this ground, with solemn ceremonies, 
to the uses of our beloved Order. 

D. Gr. M. [Before ivhorn there is placed a shovel or 
other instrument, filled with fresh earth.) In the name 
of the R. W. Grand Lodge of the I. 0. of 0. F. of 

, and by authority of the M. W. G. M. of the 

same, I hereby solemnly dedicate and set apart this 
ground to the burial of all good Odd-Fellows, their 
families and friends, and to no other purpose whatever, 
while the world stands; so that here their remains may 
rest in undisturbed security until the last great day, 
and that here we may come, amid the gentle stillness of 
nature, to mourn over the loved and lost whom we have 
deposited in the silent tomb, {strewing the earth,) " earth 
to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust!" 

Gi. M. Yet not to sorrow as those that are without 
hope! For we know that our Redeemer liveth, and 
that though worms destroy this body, yet in our flesh 
shall we see God. Let us feel, my brethren, that death 
is but the gate to a better life, and that over the resting- 
place of the departed dwells ever the bright halo of the 
hope of a glorious resurrection. Hence it is that we 
thus strew above the place of tombs, and in the graves 
of our loved ones, these emblems of undying life, 
(strewing evergreens ;) for we know that they are but 
sleeping here until the voice of the Maker and Master 
of all shall call them to himself in the day that he 
makes up his jewels, and proclaims that time and it? 

griefs shall be no more. 

6 u 



240 THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 

The brethren will unite in singing Ode No. 4. 

6r. C. Be with us, we beseech thee, God our Hea- 
venly Father, in the exercises of this solemn occasion. 
Fill our hearts with that deep faith in thy holy Word 
which shall enable us to see, beyond the night of the 
grave, the portals of a diviner day. Strengthen the 
hands of those who have prepared this place of rest for 
the dead, and enable them to keep it sacred to that 
purpose and to thee. Let thy Spirit descend like dews 
of consolation upon the hearts of all who shall here 
resort as mourners, and make them to feel that this is 
indeed holy ground. Comfort the afflicted, bind up the 
broken hearts, lift up the bowed down, and give to the 
bruised souls the oil of joy for mourning, and the gar- 
ment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. From this 
place let the glad testimony rise, from many a bleeding 
heart, that thou art truly the widow's God and the 
Father of the fatherless. Help us, we beseech thee, to 
labor faithfully in the great work of Benevolence and 
Charity. Bless our beloved Order with an everlasting 
benediction, and make all its works to praise thee. 
And finally receive us to thyself in glory, so that unto 
thee we may ascribe glory and dominion, world with- 
out end. Amen. 

Cr. M. The natural man instinctively shrinks from the 
contemplation of the silent tomb. It is to him a sight 
of fear and a source of terror. The warm life-blood at 
his heart is chilled by the very thought of its gloom. 
To such the habitation of the dead must be a repulsive 
place, fit only for sounds of woe. But to him to whom 
death has no longer a sting, and over whom the grave 
can have no victory ; to him whose fears are swallowed 
Up and lost in the glorious assurance of a blessed re- 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 241 

surrection and happy immortality, it presents a differ- 
ent aspect. No longer must its precincts be doleful 
with the waitings of sorrow, or its soil be abandoned 
to the thistle and thorn. We plant flowers upon the 
graves of our loved ones ; we cast over them the cool 
shadow of pleasant trees; we place them amid the 
gentle scenes of bounteous nature, and from them rise 
ever the voice of prayer and the song of grateful praise. 
We have learned to look upon the solemn end of all 
without terror, as we see one after another entering 
the dark valley, leaning, in unbroken confidence, 
on the precious promises of Him who cannot lie. 
Therefore it is that we rightly make our burial-place 
a beautiful and attractive spot. This you have already 
done, my brethren, and I commend you for it. Con- 
tinue in the good work, maintain in ever-increasing 
beauty this consecrated place, and the hearts of gene- 
rations yet unborn will bless you for the kindly labor. 

The audience will be dismissed with benediction by G. C. 



242 THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



CEREMONY AT THE FUNERAL OF A DECEASED 
BROTHER. 

At an hour appointed, the subordinate Lodge of 
which the brother was a member must meet at its 
room, and open the Lodge in the initiatory Degree. 
The Noble-Grand will then appoint a Marshal and as- 
sistants. The Lodge will thereupon close, and the 
brothers pass in procession from the room to the place 
whence the brother is to be taken for interment. The 
order of procession will be as follows : — 

1. The Marshal, with black scarf, and baton bound 
with a band of black crape. 

2. Outside Guardian, with red staff, in like mourning. 

3. Scene Supporters, with white wands, in like 
mourning. 

4. Members of the initiatory Degree, in order of 
juniority, two abreast. 

5. Members of the White, Pink, Royal-Blue, Green, 
and Scarlet Degrees, respectively, in like order. 

6. Members of the Lodge having the Degrees of 
the Encampment, respectively, in like order. 

7. The P. Grands of the Lodge in order of juniority. 

8. Inside Guardian, bearing the regalia and insignia 
indicative of the rank in the Order of the deceased 
brother. 

9. Treasurer and Secretaries of the Lodge. 

10. Vice Grand, with Right and Left Supporters, 
each bearing his wand of office bound with a band of 
black crape. 

(The above arrangement must be observed in other processions 
of the Order, as far as practicable: of course the crape must, and 
the wands may, be disnensed with.) 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 243 

11. Chaplain, with white scarf, supported by the 
"Warden and Conductor, each bearing his staff of office 
in like mourning. 

12. Noble Grand, with his Right and Left Support- 
ers, each bearing his wand of office in like mourning.* 

Invited brethren will take places with the members 
of the Lodge according to their rank. The Lodges, 
when more than one attend, shall be arranged in order 
of juniority, preceding the Lodge conducting the cere- 
monies. 

On arriving at the place appointed for the starting 
of the funeral, the brothers must take position in the 
above order immediately before the corpse, and pre- 
cede it to the place of interment. On arriving at such 
place, the brothers will open to the right and left, and 
allow the corpse, mourners, etc., to pass through, the 
brothers on either side standing uncovered, the hat 
held in the left hand of each, and joining hands with 
each other. And after the passing of the corpse, 
mourners, etc., between the two lines, the brothers will 
re-form in procession after them in reversed order, 
and close the procession into and within the place of 
interment. 

* If the deceased brother, at the time of his death, was a 
member of an Encampment, or of a State, District, or Territo- 
rial Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment, or of the Grand 
Lodge of the United States, the Chaplain, and the highest offi- 
cer or officers present, of such Encampment, or Grand Body or 
Bodies, supported each by two members thereof, may take a 
position in the funeral procession next after the Chaplain and 
Noble-Grand, respectively, of the subordinate Lodge of the de- 
ceased ; they being entitled to take precedence of such Noble- 
Grand, and of each other (in all processions of the Order, of 
whatever kind, according to their respective rank), in conduct- 
ing the ceremony of interment as above set forth. 



244 

After the performance of such religious service as 
the friends of the deceased may cause to be there 
performed, and before the final closing of the grave, 
the brothers must form silently around the grave (as 
near to it as may be), according to the order above set 
forth ; they must be uncovered, the hat in the left 
nand of each, and joining right hands with each other 
in one or more circles, as regularly as the nature of the 
ground may admit; the Chaplain — or, if there be no 
Chaplain present, the Noble-Grand — may deliver the 
following — 

Address. 

We are assembled, my brethren, to render the last office 
which the living may minister to the dead. 

Man is born to die. The coffin, the grave, the sepulchre, 
speak to us in language that can not be misunderstood, however 
unheeded it may be, of "man's latter end." Youth in its 
harmlessness and comparative innocency, and manhood with its 
wonted vigor and pride of strength, are not more exempt than 
decrepit and tottering age from the fixed law of being, which 
dedicates all that is mortal to decay and death. 

This truth is inscribed in the great volume of nature upon its 
every page. The beautiful and the sublime, which the handi- 
work of the Creator displays on our every side, fearfully asso- 
ciate the unerring certainty of the end of all things, amid the 
vividness of the moral which they are ever suggesting to the 
contemplative mind. 

Day after day, we are called upon to follow our fellow-crea- 
tures to that bourne whence no traveller returns : but, from the 
house of mourning, we go forth again to mingle in the crowded 
world, heedless, perhaps, of the precarious tenure of life, and 
the certainty of that end to which all flesh is rapidly tending. 
He who gives the vigor of body, without warning paralyzes 
the stout heart and strikes down the athletic frame — the living 
of to-day become the dead of the morrow. 

Men appear upon, and disappear from, the stage of life, as 
vave meets wave and parts upon the troubled waters: "in the 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 245 

midst of life we are in death." He whose lips now echo these 
tones of solemn warning, in turn will be stilled in the cold and 
cheerless house of the dead ; and, in the providence of God, 
none may escape. 

Let us, then, so far improve the lesson as to be prepared for 
that change, which leads to life eternal. 

After which, the Chaplain will offer the following 
Prayer. 

Our Father and our God ! who art the resurrection and the 
life ; in whom, whosoever believeth shall live, though he die ; 
and whosoever liveth and believeth in thee, shall not die — 
hear, we beseech thee, the voice of thy creatures here assem- 
bled, and turn not away from our supplications. 

We humbly beseech thee so to imbue us with a conviction 
of our entire helplessness and dependence upon thee, that we 
may be brought to meditate upon the uncertainty of life and the 
certainty of death. In the dispensation of thy providence, thou 
hast summoned from among us our brother, and we, the sur- 
viving monuments of thy mercy, are gathered together to com- 
mit his remains to the earth. Give, O God ! we beseech thee, 
thy Holy Spirit to us, whom thou hast spared ; increase our 
knowledge; and confirm our faith in thee for ever. 

(Bless and comfort, we pray thee, those whom it has pleased 
thee to add to the number of the disconsolate ; buoy them up 
under this heavy stroke ; sustain them against despondency. 
O, wilt thou be their Father and their God, and pour down from 
on high thy blessings upon their heads!) Bless, O Heavenly 
Father! the brethren here assembled: imbue them with the 
wisdom of thy laws; and draw them unto thee by the cords 
of thy inestimable love ; impress them with their duty to each 
other as brethren, and their obligations in the various relations 
of human life ; and, finally, bless our beloved Order throughout 
the globe. Preserve its principles and its purposes from innova- 
tion ; sustain it from the shafts of enmity ; protect it from self- 
immolation ; and shield it from all evil. And unto thee we 
shall render the praise for ever. Amen. 

The address or prayer, or both, may be omitted, 
and should be, in case the friends of the deceased ob- 



246 

ject to them. Whether they be admitted or omitted, 
however (the brothers having formed as previously 
directed), the Noble-Grand will, after a pause suited to 
the solemnity of the occasion, advance singly to the 
head of the grave, and cast into it the sprig of ever- 
green from his regalia, and then return to his place ; 
whereupon the brothers from left to right in regular 
succession, and in such numbers at a time as not to 
cause confusion, may advance to the grave, cast into 
it the sprig of evergreen from their regalia, and return 
to their place. After all shall have done this, and the 
grave shall have been filled up or closed, the brothers 
must silently re-form into procession according to the 
order observed in coming to the place of interment, 
and return in such order to the Lodge-room, where 
the Noble-Grand will declare the funeral ceremonies 
to be closed. 

The form of prayer, the funeral address, and the 
ceremony above prescribed, have been adopted and 
authorized by the Grand Lodge of the United States. 
It is optional with Lodges or Encampments whether 
they use it or not. In case they do not use .it, how- 
ever, they are required to refrain from using any. It 
will be observed that the form — while it is such as ail 
persons, of whatever faith, may consistently employ — 
is adapted to no sect or party, simply as such ; and 
that it is, therefore, most appropriate for Odd-FeJ 
lows. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 247 



HYMNS FOR FUNERAL SERVICE. 
I. 

Solemn strikes the funeral chime, 
Notes of our departing time, 
As we journey here below 
Through a pilgrimage of woe ! 

Mortals, now indulge a tear, 
For Mortality is near ! 
See hew wide her trophies wave 
O'er the slumbers of the grave! 

Here another guest we bring: 
Seraphs of celestial wing, 
To cur funeral altar come — 
Waft this friend and brother home. 

God of all below, above, 
Fill our hearts with Truth and Love I 
When dissolves our heavenly tie, 
Take us to thy Lodge on high. 



II. 



Bending sadly o'er thy form, 
Late with Love and Friendship warm. 
Brother, in our night of grief, 
What shall give our hearts relief? 

Shrined within this mortal clay, 
Such a loving spirit lay, 
That we shrink with half distrust 
Ere we give it back to dust. 



248 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

Charity's unfading light, 
Honor's lustre pure and bright, 
Truth's effulgent radiance blest, 
Ever fill'd that faithful breast. 

Generous manliness and grace 
Found a constant 'biding-place 
In the face now closed and dark, 
Quench'd its late illuming spark. 

Brother, from thy heavenly rest, 
From thy home among the blest, 
Come, in angel guise, to cheer 
Those who sorrow for thee here! 

From that radiant Lodge on high 
Comes to us this glad reply : — 
" Mourn not!" For the path he's trod 
One degree is nearer God ! 



III. 

Brother, to thy grave we come, 
At the beat of muffled drum ; 
Hearts with silent grief oppress'fi 
Bear thee to thy home of rest. 

Voices from the sighing breeze, 
From the woods and leafless trees, 
And the faded autumn leaf, 
Will remind us of our grief. 

Though in the Grand Lodge above 
We remember thee in love, 
Yet our Lodge has lost thee here: 
'Tis for this we shed a tear. 

In the earth we lay thee low; 
Yet upon thy grave shall grow 
Evergreens like these we bring 
As our last sad offering. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 249 

IV. 

Why this deep and awful gloom, 

Sighs and bitter weeping ? 
He w r hose mansion is the tomb 

Is not dead, but sleeping. 

We with him our place shall take; 

Lo, the hour is nearing! 
He with us shall surely wake 

At the Lord's appearing. 

Lord, ere mortal life shall cease, 

Pardon all our errors ; 
Let us see thy face in peace, 

In that day of terrors. 








250 THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



CEREMONY OR FORM FOR PRESENTING A BAN- 
NER TO A LODGE. 

The brethren will assemble in the Lodge-room, 
(accompanied by ladies and gentlemen whom they may 
see proper to invite to be present on the occasion,) 
where the banner will be conspicuously placed. The 
officers will occupy their respective chairs, and the 
chairman of the presenting committee will address the 
N. G. as follows : — 

Most Noble Grand:— 

In accordance with a duty confided to me by my associates, 
I rise for the purpose of presenting to you, and through you to 
the Lodge, this Banner, which* has been contributed by a num- 
ber of our brethren, as a token of their esteem for the Order, 
and for the Lodge over which you preside. 

There are some men yet living — would that they were here 
to-night! — who assisted in planting the first scion of Odd-Fel- 
lowship in our soil ; who watched over its infancy, nursed its 
tender age, and struggled to keep it from destruction, at a peri- 
od when it seemed like hoping against hope to deem that it 
should be preserved. Verily, such as did so have their reward, 
when they look around and mark the fruit of their exertions — 
when they see an institution, commenced with the humblest 
means, by persons few in numbers (and which a few years only 
since seemed like a candle flickering in the socket, glimmering 
and ready to expire), now numbering hundreds of thousands in 
its ranks, the very flower of the land, and dispensing its benev- 
olence in the amount of almost a million of dollars annually ! Al- 
leviating distress, soothing the bed of sickness, watching over 
the pillow of pain, comforting the afflicted, and sympathizing with 
those who mourn — these are the duties and the privileges of 
Odd-Fellowship ; and the consciousness that the institution pos- 

* Or, " which the Lodge has ordered and accepted." Or, '-which a few gener- 
ous friends [or, a generous friend] of the Order have [has] bestowed, as a mark 
of their [his] regard." 



251 

sesses within itself all the resources for the competent discharge 
of its obligations, should be a reward sufficient even for those 
who have toiled so long, so faithfully, and so successfully as 
they who first raised the banner of the three odd links in our 
Western world. 

Under this general Banner of the Order, we are proud to 
muster as Odd-Fellows; but we meet this night, sir, as individ- 
uals, to present to the Lodge a distinctive Banner, under which 
its members will assemble when occasion may require to show 
themselves to the public. Its broad folds are now unfurled be- 
fore us. Let us mark it well. [Here the speaker may advert 
to the designs or paintings of the banner.] 

Most Noble Grand : T now in the name and behalf of the do- 
nors [or of the Lodge], present to you, aud through you to your 
successors in office, this beautiful Banner, and in receiving the 
proud flag, I entreat you and the brotherhood here to unfurl it 
to the world, and go forth among men, visiting the sick, reliev- 
ing the distressed, burying the dead, and educating the orphan : 
and long may it wave in such triumph over your head, Heaven 
forbidding it should ever be polluted by unhallowed hands! 

The Noble-Grand will reply as follows: — 

Mr. Chairman, and Brothers of the Committee: 

As presiding officer of this Lodge, and in behalf of my col 
leagues, the subordinate officers and brothers, I would express our 
heartfelt gratitude for this gift, bestowed on our Lodge ; and 1 
beg to assure you that the remarks you have made, and the ex- 
hortation you have given, shall be carefully treasured up in our 
hearts, and transmitted to those who may be honored as our 
snccessors. 

I perceive, by the appropriate devices on the elegant ban- 
ner here presented to us and to our Lodge, that it has been the 
artist's study^ to exhibit to view some of the more prominent 
characteristics of our beloved Order. Brothers ! we honor the 
mind of him who designed, and the hand of him who executed 
these peculiarly beautiful and appropriate insignia; and I feel 
that I do but speak the universal sentiment of my Lodge when 
[ say that they shall ever be engraven upon our hearts. We 
will remember the lessons here taught, and practise them with 
Jelight, at all times and on all occasions when a brother needs 



252 

our sympathy and aid. The links that, bind us shall never, nev- 
er be severed ; the chain shall be preserved pure, and bright, and 
unsullied, until the silver cord of life shall be snapped in twain, 
and our spirits take their flight, to a land where Friendship, 
Love, and Truth, reign for ever, in all their purity and excel- 
lence. 

Be assured, brothers, that while these are our determinations, 
and this our practice, we shall in no case fail to regard your elo- 
quent and touching exhortations to keep in view that philanthrop- 
ic principle of our Order which teaches us to visit the sick, 
relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and educate the orphan. 

Brothers ! you here behold this beautiful banner, now your 
property. Look on it, and treasure up in your minds the elo- 
quent ideas it speaks. Let them be deeply impressed on your 
hearts ; so that in your course through life, you shall, at all sea- 
sons and in all places, protect your brother Odd-Fellow while 
he sojourns in this troublesome world, and, when he is gone into 
another and better state, shield his widow and orphan babes in 
their hour of need. 

An address appropriate to the occasion may then 
be delivered, after which an ode may be sung, and an 
appropriate prayer by the Chaplain close the ceremo- 
nies. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 253 



FORM OF A PROCESSION OF ODD-FELLOWS. 



Grand-Marshal and Aids, mounted. 
Music. 
(Subordinate Lodge as follows:) 
Marshal of the Lodge. 

0. G. with drawn sword. 

Banner. 
Scene Supporters. 
Brethren of the Initiatory Degree. 
" " White 

" " Pink 

" " Royal-Blue 

" " Green 

" " Scarlet 

1. G. with drawn sword. 
Permanent Secretary — Treasurer — Secretary. 

Supporter — Vice-Grand — Supporter. 

Conductor, with } ~ C Warden, with 

> — Chaplain — < , . , 

axe. ) I white rod. 

Supporter — Noble-G rand — Supporter. 

Music. 

(Subordinate Encampments as follows *) 

Marshal. 

Guardian. 

Junior Warden. 

Banner. 

First W. — Senior Warden — Second W. 

Patriarchal Decree Members. 

Golden-Rule Degree Members. 



254 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

Royal-Purple Degree Members. 

Sentinel. 

Scribe and Treasurer. 

G T. — High-Priest — G. T. 

Third W. — Chief-Patriarch — Fourth W 

Music. 

(The Grand Encampment as follows :) 

Marshal. 

Grand Sentinel. 

Grand Junior Warden. 

Banner. 

Grand Senior Warden. 

Members of the Grand Encampment. 

Deputy Grand Sentinel. 

Grand Scribe and Grand Treasurer. 

Supporter — Grand High-Priest — Supporter. 

Past Grand ) ^ ^> ( Past Grand 

_, . . > — Grand Patriarch — < _ . 
Patriarch. > ( Patriarch. 

Past Grand High-Priests. 

Past Grand Patriarchs. 

Music. 

(The Grand Lodge as follows :) 

Four Grand Heralds,* mounted. 

Deputy Grand-Marshal. 

Grand Guardian. 

Banner. 

Grand Warden and Grand Conductor, 

Members of the Grand Lodge. 

Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer 



* These in ease a hall is to be consecrated. For an explana 
tion of their duty, see " Ceremony at Dedication of an Odd- 
Fellows' Hall," page 220. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 255 

Supporter — Deputy Grand-Master — Supporter. 

Supporter — Grand Chaplain — Supporter. 

Past Grand- ) _ Grand . Master _ \ Past Grand- 

Master. > C Master. 

Past Deputy Grand-Masters. 

Past Grand-Masters. 

Past Grand-Sires, and Officers and Members, of the 

Grand Lodge of the United States, 

in Carriages. 

Brothers engaged in processions will wear regalia 
suitable to the Degrees to which they may have at- 
tained. When two or more Lodges or Encampments 
walk in procession, they form severally as above ; and 
the younger Lodge or Encampments should precede 
the elder. All officers in processions should wear 
the badges of their office. Emblems of the Order 
may be borne in processions, either in carriages pre- 
pared for the purpose, or by persons whose positions 
in the Order are such that they may appropriately bear 
the several emblems. Chaplains usually carry the 
Bible. The Marshals should walk on the left of the 
procession, near the heads of the divisions under their 
charge. 



%* It must be remembered, that the rules of precedence, as 
explained in a note under the head of " Ceremony at the Fune- 
ral of a deceased Brother" (page 242), must he observed in 
processions of the Order, so far as they may admit of being 
followed. 

ir 



256 



RULES 

For Subordinate Lodges, and D. D. G. Masters,* rn Corre' 
sponding with the Grand Lodge, on Questions of Law ana 
Usage. 

The D. D. Grand-Master, as the Representative of 
the Grand-Master and Agent of a Grand Lodge, must 
correct all irregularities and illegalities of Lodges and 
their members within his district, and decide in wri- 
ting all questions of law and order properly presented 
to him for that purpose. 

All Lodges and members in his district must pre- 
sent any questions of law and usage which may actu- 
ally arise, to the D. D. Grand-Master for his decision. 

All questions of law or usage must be clearly stated 
in writing, with a statement of the circumstances under 
which they have arisen, and must be signed by the 
member, or officers of the Lodge, proposing the same. 

All questions thus proposed must be answered in 
writing, under seal of the D. D. Grand-Master, and 
signed by him, within three weeks from the date of 
their reception ; unless at an earlier date he should 
notify the Lodge or member of the necessity of refer- 
ring it to the Grand Lodo-e or its officers. 

If any appeal from such decision is made by the 
Lodge or member, it should be made within one month 
after its reception ; and should be accompanied by the 
decision appealed from, or a copy thereof, certified as 

* The D. D. Grand-Masters are officers appointed by the 
Grand-Master, to preside over the Lodges of certain specified 
localities. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 257 

correct under seal of the Lodge, and the reasons for 
the appeal, addressed to the Grand-Master. 

No communication from any member or subordinate 
Lodge, on questions of law and usage (except an ap- 
peal as aforesaid, or a formal complaint against the 
D. D. Grand-Master), should be received by the Grand- 
Lodge officers, unless the same comes under the seal 
and endorsement of a D. D. Grand-Master. 

The D. D. Grand-Master of each district must file 
all questions presented or arising for his decision, en- 
dorsing thereon or filing therewith a copy of his decis- 
ion in each case. And he must also keep a record of 
each case and each decision in a book provided for 
that purpose, together with a memorandum of each 
irregularity corrected by him. And he must affix to 
each item the number and name of the Lodge, or name 
and Lodge of the member thus corrected, with the date 
of such correction. Said book and papers to be con- 
sidered as the property of the office, and to be deliv- 
ered up to the Grand Lodge, or its agent, accord- 
ingly. 

At least once in every six months he must present 
said file of questions and decisions, or said books of 
records and minutes, to the Grand-Master, for review 
and correction or approval, or for reference to the 
Grand Lodge. 

A copy of all complaints or appeals by Lodges 
must be furnished to the D. D. Grand-Master com- 
plained of or appealed from, and time be allowed him 
for reply, before proceedings shall be instituted against 
him, or his decision be reversed ; and all communica- 
tions on such decisions from the Grand Lodge to her 
subordinates, should be first communicated to the D. D. 



258 

Grand-Master, and by him be made known to the 
Lodge. 

Any communication placed in the D. D. Grand- 
Master's hands for a member or subordinate Lodge, 
or for the Grand Lodge or its officers, should be by 
him forwarded as addressed, without any further delay 
than may be absolutely necessary to read the same, and 
certify to its genuineness if need be. 

Any D. D. Grand-Master, or other officer of a 
Grand Lodge, or any subordinate Lodge or member 
thereof, neglecting the duties or violating the obliga- 
tions imposed by these Rules, may be proceeded against 
as for the violation of any other duty, obligation, law, 
or usage, of the Order ; and on conviction thereof after 
fair trial, may be punished according to the heinousness 
of his offence, at the discretion of the triers having 
authority in the case.* 

* The above Rules were adopted by the Grand Lodge of 
Pennsylvania, at its session of 1850. They are such as may 
very properly apply to all Lodges and D. D. Grand-Masters: 
hence we have introduced them in the " Text-Book." 

The following are the duties assigned to the D. D. G. Masters 
of the Grand Lodge of Northern New York : — 

" The D. D. G. Master shall, in the absence of the Grand 
Master, preside at all meetings of the D. G. Committees [con 
sisting of all Past Grands in good standing] of their respective 
districts, and preserve order and decorum therein, and enforce 
due observance of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Grand 
Lodge ; be the organs of the Grand-Master with the subordi- 
nates in their districts ; have power to call special meetings of 
the D. G. Committees when necessary ; to grant dispensations 
to Lodges in their districts for granting certificates for the five 
degrees in less time than may be otherwise permitted, when cir- 
cumstances require it, and to officiate in person or by special 
deputy, in conferring the five Degrees in places where no De- 
gree Lodge may be located. They shall see that the work of 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 259 



APPLICATION FOR DEGREES. 

Any brother in good standing, who shall have been 
a member of the Order for the full period of blank,* may 
apply personally or otherwise, in open Lodge, for a cer- 
tificate to entitle him to receive the Degrees of the Order. 

On application for the Degrees, the Lodge must be 
opened in the Degree applied for. In no case can 
the ballot be taken when the Lodge is open in the 
Initiatory Degree. Three black balls reject. 

In all cases, the certificate must be directed to the 
Degree Lodge (if one is established in the district) ; 
if not, to the Degree or D. D. Grand-Master, whose 
duty it shall be to confer or cause them to be conferred 
in proper form. In districts where there is no Degree 
Lodge, the Degrees may be conferred in the subordi- 
nate Lodges of the district respectively. The Lodge 
must be kept open for that purpose, and the Degrees 

the Order is performed uniformly ; confer official Degrees on 
Past-Officers; collect from Lodges in their districts all returns 
and moneys due the Grand Lodge, and forward them imme- 
diately to the Grand Secretary ; install the officers of the Lodges 
under their charge ; decide all questions of law that may be sub- 
mitted to them by Lodges or members thereof under their charge, 
and report semi-annually to the Grand- Master of their proceed- 
ings. They shall forthwith report to the Grand-Master all cases 
of violation, on the part of subordinates, of the Constitution and 
By-Laws of the Grand Lodge, or of disobedience to its lawful 
commands, or the lawful commands of the D. G. Committees. 
When officially visiting the subordinates of the district, the 
D. D. G. Masters shall be received with the honors of the Order." 
* The time varies in the several states. 



260 

conferred in the presence and with the assistance of 
the officers and members of the Lodge who may have 
received the Degrees about to be conferred, who alone 
are entitled to be present. 

The fees to be paid on receipt of the certificate must 
be regulated by the By-Laws of the several Lodges. 
In case the Degrees are not conferred by a Degree 
Lodge, the fee for conferring the Degree belongs to 
the Lodge granting the certificate. 



THE DEGREE OF REBEKAH. 

The beautiful Degree of Rebekah has been aptly 
called "the crowning excellence of the Order." It 
was authorised by a decided vote at the session of 
the Grand Lodge of the United States, held in Sep- 
tember, 1851. It was suggested and originated by 
Schuyler Colfax, Esq., of South Bend, Indiana, 
by whom also it was written. The committee 
appointed by the Grand Sire to prepare it ; were 




I HMO O f L r SillBECIMl] 



GENESIS, £4 CE^?. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 261 

Reps. Schuyler Colfax, of Indiana, William T. 
Martin, of Mississippi, and E. G. Steel, of Ten- 
nessee. The Degree went into operation on the 1st 
of January, 1852. 

There are many excellent reasons for the Degree 
of Rebekah. Its author has given some of them in 
the following paragraphs : — 

" 1. It will tend to increase the resources of subor- 
dinate Lodges, by the advance of members in the 
Degrees. It affords an additional incentive for 
brethren, and an additional argument for those 
allied to them, to induce them to progress upward 
in the Order. 

" 2. It will complete the present imperfect system 
in force in most of the jurisdictions, by which wives' 
and widows' cards are now authorized. By sec- 
tions 12, 13, and 14, of ' Digest/ page 37, wives' 
and widows' cards can be granted to run for a year, 
and to be signed by the officers of the Lodge, and 
countersigned by the recipient on the margin. This 
is for the purpose of affording protection, in times of 
difficulty, to those who, by the theory of our Order, 
have a right to claim our friendly assistance. 

" 3. It will lessen and ultimately destroy the 
prejudice felt against the Order, by many of the 
fairer sex in various portions of the Union ; and 
which, undeniably, often tends to prevent accessions 
of members in subordinate Lodges. 

"4. It can be made to assist Odd-Fellowship in 
peculiar cases of brothers' sickness. In many such 
the kindly nursing of woman is needed far more 
than the assiduous and constant attendance of man ; 



262 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

for she was formed to minister at the couch of 
affliction ; and in the watching which our laws so 
strictly provide for, we only strive to compel the 
observance of what is, in her, instinct — the prompt- 
ings of nature, the impulse of the heart." 

The Degree of Rebekah may be conferred on 
all members of the Order in good standing who 
shall have received the Scarlet Degree, and on their 
wives. It is gratuitously bestowed on all qualified 
persons. There are in it, as in other Degrees of the 
Order, certain signs and passwords by which mem- 
bers may be recognized. A scarlet member duly 
qualified, desiring this degree to be conferred on his 
wife, must make application to the N. G. vf his 
Lodge, who will call a special meeting for the pur- 
pose of conferring it. The meeting being convened, 
and the ladies present, in all cases accompanied by 
their husbands, the initiatory ceremonies will be 
performed by the N. G. and assistants At the 
close of the ceremonies, the ladies and their hus- 
bands will retire. No business whatever, excepting 
that of conferring, can be done in the Degree of 
Rebekah. The preliminaries must all be settled in 
the subordinate Lodge. We particularly make this 
statement, because an erroneous impression has 
prevailed that " women are to be introduced to the 
Lodges." 

The Degree of Rebekah is destined to become 
universally popular. It is deserving of such appreci- 
ation. The Friendship and confidence of Woman 
will do much to advance the interests of Odd-Fel- 
lowship. Her influence through this Degree, being 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 263 

exerted on our members, will tend to make them 
faithful to their obligations and to their brethren. 

Woman does not shrink, as men often do, from 
the duties required of us towards the distressed. It 
has been beautifully said of her, "that she was 
earliest at the cross and latest at the sepulchre." 

In securing the friendship of Woman, therefore, 
and inspiring her confidence by instructing her in 
the true principles of the Order, we acquire advan- 
tages, both individually and collectively, that must 
not only elevate our character as Odd-Fellows, but 
which will also often procure for us, in sickness or 
distress, a consolation that shall be invaluable. 

Who would not desire such friendship as Woman 
can bestow in the time of trial ? Who like her can 
console in sickness — who so charmingly encourage 
in trouble? Who has not experienced her gentle 
influence as mother, sister, wife ? It is no great 
compliment to her that we have at last, as Odd- 
Fellows, decided to t#ke her into our confidence. It 
would have been better if we had done this long ago. 

Thousands have received the Degree of Rebekah, 
and they have given the Order no cause to regret that 
our temples have been opened for their admission. 
Many Lodges have been immensely benefited through 
their influence in inducing young men to unite them- 
selves with the Order. The natural regard of a 
mother for the welfare of her offspring has prompted 
the correct conclusion that the happiness of her sons 
will be more certain under the watchful supervision 
of an organization, some of the beauties of which she 
has herself seen, than it can be unguarded by such 
surroundings. Not only has she seen this in the case 



264 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

of hor *uiis, but in that of her daughters also has she 
been urgent that their future lives and happiness should 
be committed, when they leave her roof, to men pledged 
to the duties which Odd-Fellowship requires. Hence 
in numerous instances has her influence prevailed 
with the visitors of her family, as well as with its 
members. 

For seventeen years this Degree was merely tolerated 
by the Grand Lodge of the United States. Its benefi- 
cial effects on the Order led progressive men from va- 
rious sections of the country to labor for years for its 
establishment as a part of Odd-Fellowship; but not till 
the Annual Communication of 1868 was there any legis- 
lation authorizing its organization as an auxiliary to the 
Order. At that session a special Committee reported 
the following resolutions, which were adopted, reserving 
to local Grand Lodges the right to accept or reject the 
Degree in their respective jurisdictions : 

Resolved, That the Grand Lodges subordinate to this R. W. 
Grand Lodge be and they are hereby authorized and empowered 
to institute Degree Lodges of the Daughters of Rebekah, at such 
places as they may deem proper within their territorial limits, 
to possess the powers and enjoy the privileges following: 

1. To confer the Degree of Rebekah on such Scarlet Degree 
members and their wives as present a certificate from a Lodge 
located in the district designated in the charter of such Degree 
Lodge, and also to confer the said Degree on widows of Odd- 
Fellows presenting certificates from Lodges to which their hus- 
bands were members at the time of their decease. 

2. To elect and appoint their own officers in the manner pre- 
scribed by their By-laws. The elective officers to consist of a 
Noble-Grand, Vice-Grand, Secretary, and Treasurer, and, if so 
provided in their By-laws, a Financial Secretary. The appointed 
officers to consist of a Warden, Conductor, Outside Guardian, 
Inside Guardian, Right and Left Supporters of Noble-Grand, 
Right and Left Supporters of Vice-Grand. Any member of the 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 265 

Lodge shall be eligible to any office in the Lodge except that of 
Noble-Grand, which office shall be filled by a Past Grand in good 
standing in his Lodge, -and except Warden, Outside Guardian, 
and Inside Guardian, who shall be Scarlet Degree Members. 
All officers to hold their offices for six months or one year, as 
prescribed by the subordinate Grand Lodge. 

'6. To hold regular and special meetings as provided by the 
By-laws. 

4. To fix and establish dues, to be paid monthly, quarterly, 
semi-annually, or annually, as the By-laws may provide, and to 
provide by By-laws when those in arrears for dues shall be 
dropped from the roll of members. Any brother or sister within 
the district designated in the charter may become a member on 
paying the dues provided by the By-laws; and any brother may 
continue such member so long as he remains a member of his 
Subordinate Lodge in good standing, and pays his dues to the 
Degree Lodge, and any sister may remain a member so long as 
her husband is entitled to remain a member, or so long as she 
remains his widow and pays her dues to the Lodge. All Degree 
Lodges shall consist of at least ten members, five of each sex, 
and all in good standing shall participate in the proceedings of 
the Lodge. 

5. To pay and disburse from the funds of the Lodge, for the 
relief of the sick, the destitute, or the distressed, from time to 
time, as a majority of the members present shall by vote deter- 
mine, or as shall be otherwise provided by the By-laws. 

6. To establish such By-laws and Rules of Order, not incon- 
sistent herewith, or with the rules, usages, and general regula- 
tions of the Order, as they may deem proper, subject, however, 
to the approval of the Grand Lodge to which they are subordi- 
nates. 

Resolved, That the Grand-Sire, Deputy Grand-Sire, and Grand 
Corresponding and Recording Secretary be authorized to insti- 
tute Degree Lodges of the Daughters of Rebekah in any territory 
under the immediate jurisdiction of this R. W. Grand Lodge, 
and that such Lodges possess the power and enjoy the privileges 
of other Rebekah Degree Lodges. 

Resolved, That the widow of an Odd-Fellow who had not 
attained the Scarlet Degree, but who was in good standing at 
the time of his death, may receive the Degree of Rebekah at the 



266 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

option of the Lodge of which her husband was a member at the 
time of his death. 

Resolved, That the Grand Corresponding and Recording Sec- 
retary be instructed to prepare, and cause to be printed, Cer- 
tificates of Membership for the Daughters of Rebekah, to be 
furnished to Lodges at not less than double the cost, and that 
the sum of $100 be appropriated for that purpose from any 
money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. 

Note. — The Degree of Rebekah is an honorary degree, to 
be conferred, under the regulations adopted by the Grand Lodge 
of the United States, upon such Scarlet Members and their 
wives as may desire to receive it ; but the officers of all Lodges 
which are in possession of the work ought to be in regular pos- 
session of the degree, upon the same principle that they are re- 
quired to assume other obligations belonging to their official 
stations. 

The annual P. W. of the Ladies' Degree should be given at 
the outer door, and the Lodge may sing any part of the Odes at 
the time that ladies are introduced by the Conductor. 

Widows (of brothers in good standing who may have deceas- 
ed after the adoption of the degree, September 20, 1851), if they 
still remain widows, may receive the degree in the Lodge of 
which their husbands were members, by the assent of the Lodge, 
and providing that other ladies with their husbands are also 
present for the purpose of initiation in the degree. — Decisions 
of the G. L. of the U. S. at the Session of 1852. 



ADDRESSED TO THE LADIES. 

All good things do, or should, receive the counte- 
nance and support of the ladies. We, as Odd-Fel- 
lows, are bold to say, that we are clearly deserving o* 
such consideration from the fair half of creation. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 267 

It has been customary with some to apologize to the 
othei sex for their exclusion from our Order. We 
know not on what ground their exclusion can, by pos- 
sibility, be considered objectionable. We regard that 
sex too highly to palter with or to flatter it. We might 
indeed say, and say with somewhat of truth, that their 
very charms might be productive of disunion in the 
Lodge ; that concord and brotherly affection would 
vanish and give place to the ardor of love, the bitter- 
ness of rivalry, and the fantasies of violence and jeal- 
ousy ; and that the mild and sensitive nature of the sex, 
apt as it is to embrace and follow every good thing, 
needs not combination to strengthen its good impul- 
ses, or new incentives to impel it in the course of vir- 
tue and benevolence. While we disclaim all doubt of 
the prudence and retentiveness of woman, we might 
imagine many flattering reasons for their non-admis- 
sion ; but, in our humble judgment, apology is unne- 
cessary. The simple truth is this : woman is not enti- 
tled to, and seeks not, a place among us. Our Insti- 
tution was originally intended and framed exclusively 
for the men, and the various modifications it has un- 
dergone have not adapted it to the other sex. They 
could not with propriety, in conformity with the usa- 
ges of the world, take part in our private assemblages, 
without exposing themselves to the censoriousness of 
the age. Their peculiar tastes and duties alike unfit 
them for the transaction of matters which require ac- 
tion, and lie more properly within the province of their 
partners in life. 

We shall not argue at length the reasons why ladies 
may not become members of our association. For 



268 THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 

we are persuaded that these are obvious to all who 
will take the pains to reflect upon the relative positions 
of men and women. While man is called upon to go 
forth into the world and fight its battles, woman's place 
is at the home-altar, as the high-priestess of that sacred 
spot; and her business — one which she well under- 
stands — is to cheer him in his rough journey, and to 
nerve him to proceed in it with faith and patience. 

Yet it can not be evaded, or denied, that Odd-Fel- 
lowship has been, and in some instances is yet, op- 
posed by our fair countrywomen. Why is this so? 
Why should Woman, with her softness and kindness, 
her fidelity as a wife, her devotedness and love as a 
mother, her charity as a Christian, object to an Insti- 
tution which has been clearly proven of incalculable 
good to the human race ? Our homes for the blind, 
for the deaf and dumb, for the poor and destitute, and 
for the unfortunate creature of man's lust, have all 
been reared, and are sustained, under her fostering 
care and patronage : she has strewed chaplets of flow- 
ers in the patriot's path of glory ; her handiwork floats 
on the banners of our Sunday-schools and temperance 
societies ; her influence and labor are enlisted in almost 
every enterprise of good that has blessed humanity : 
why, then, we ask, should she discountenance a society 
which has for its sole object the amelioration of man- 
kind? 

This question, we are convinced, may be answered 
in a very few w 7 ords — " It is a secret society for gen- 
tlemen only!" Here is the secret of woman's hostility 
to Odd-Fellowship : and on this subject w T e shall, 
therefore, beg to reason with her. In order to do so 
with some show of success, we can not do better than 



THE ODD-FELLOWS* TEXT-BOOK. 269 

to present the following, which was written by one of 
her own sex, and sent to us, years ago, for insertion 
in " The Rainbow," an Odd-Fellows' periodical which 
we edited in 1S41 : — 

" I propose, with your permission, to offer to the 
ladies a few plain and well-meant remarks upon this 
subject of secrecy, as many have formed erroneous 
opinions concerning it and your Institution. They 
think that there must be something wrong where there 
is so much secrecy ; and as I intend to show, in my 
few remarks, that female influence is sensibly felt in 
society, I particularly wish to undeceive them on this 
subject. In my own mind there is no doubt but the 
ridiculous assertions that are made against the Order 
are thrown out to mislead the uninformed, and preju- 
dice the public mind, by those who know nothing con- 
cerning the Institution. I have taken great interest to 
find out this ' grand secret,' as it is called, which, I 
believe, is only the mode of initiation, and the signs 
by which the members recognise one another. What 
they are I can not tell, only that they are calculated to 
make deep impressions on the minds of men. I choose 
rather that the ladies would trace the history of this In- 
stitution themselves. The principles of Odd-Fellow- 
ship are published to all the world, and may be known 
to others as well as by the members. I more particu- 
larly wish the married ladies to study them out, fof 
many are prejudiced against it, and, as a matter of 
course, think they are perfectly right in opposing their 
husbands. And many think, too, that, because woman 
is excluded, there is and must be a deep mystery 
attached to it. This is perfectly nonsensical. Why 



270 

is it that woman is excluded from the halls of legisla 
tion, from political meetings, and from the noise and 
bustle of military pomp? You answer, because it is 
altogether inconsistent with our feelings and station. 
So it is here. Woman must content herself to rule at 
home : she should view her home as her kingdom. If 
a woman were to go into the world — if she were to 
mingle in the strifes of public life, and devote her time 
and attention to business concerns equally with the 
men — in what condition would be our homes? It is 
for her to cultivate the opening intellect, and to en- 
stamp moral and religious impressions upon the mind, 
in the days of infancy and childhood, which will en- 
dure throughout life. It is a sister's privilege to watch 
over a younger brother, and gradually to lead him in 
the path of rectitude and duty ; to enforce upon the 
tender mind those very principles taught in the Lodg* 5 
by precept and example — Friendship, Love, and 
Truth. Then, when that brother arrives at the age 
of manhood, he perhaps associates with those who in- 
fuse by practice those truths imbibed in childhood , 
and, however high he may ascend in riches, in rank, 
in honors — however low he may sink in poverty and 
disgrace — he can never forget the home of his youth. 
When the siren voice of Pleasure would fain tempt 
him aside, the voice of his sister or the counsels of his 
mother, whisper in his ear, ' Resist the tempter !' And 
is not this woman's province — this her field of action 
— this the scene of her highest usefulness? Why 
then does she aspire to that which is not consistent 
with the laws of nature and the will of her Creator? 
Then let no opposition be shown to your partner in 
life ; rather rejoice that he associates with the good and 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 271 

just, and sooner urge him to attend more regularly to 
his duty. If I understand anything of Odd-Fellow- 
ship, I believe its elementary features are Benevolence 
and Charity ; and if I am right in my opinion, these 
are indeed its noblest attributes. If such be the fact, 
should we, as ladies of sound sense and discernment, 
oppose it because it may appear to us mysterious? 
Nay ! We should rather exert every power we possess 
to befriend and advance a cause which, despite our 
objection, is one of the noblest ever devised by man, 
1 have reasons for this assertion in the amount of hap- 
piness I have seen it confer upon several of my friends, 
and in the true moral excellence which I have observed 
among those of its members who appear to feel a deep 
interest in its welfare." 

Thus much did our lady-correspondent and friend 
remark concerning " Odd-Fellowship and the Ladies," 
and we sincerely commend her observations to those 
ladies who may have objected to our Order on the 
ground of its secrecy and exciusiveness. 

Odd-Fellowship, as we have shown in the pages of 
this work, is a Society founded in the purest philan- 
thropy. " It scatters its blessings, like the dews of 
heaven, alike upon the rich and the poor," the high 
and the low, the strong and the weak. Woman largely 
shares these blessings. Fond and devoted wife ! need 
we tell thee that this is a life of mixed good and evil? 
— that the storm and the whirlwind succeed the calm 
and the sunshine? — -that disappointment, bitter grief, 
and sad reverses, are the lot of mortals? He who 
lately led thee to the bridal altar may to-morrow be 
laid on the death-couch, and exchange his raarriage- 

18 



272 THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 

vesture for the winding-sheet and the shroud ! Wouldst 
thou desire the commiseration and sympathies of his 
brethren — they who have pledged themselves, by an 
obligation " heard in heaven," to protect and comfort 
thee in thine hour of despair? Tender mother! as 
thou bendest with untiring watchfulness over thy fair 
child, and hushest to rest every murmur that may dis- 
turb the gentle slumber of thy loved one, remember 
that, if thy babe should never need the friendship of 
Odd-Fellows (Heaven only knows what is in the fu- 
ture!)— there are "pale faces of little children" all 
around thee, who clasp no mother's knee, " the envied 
kiss to share ;" and for their sake, if not for that of 
thine own dear one, do not discourage Odd-Fellow- 
ship. Fond sister ! if thou wouldst live more fondly 
in the friendship of thy brother — if thou wouldst en- 
large thy enjoyments in his society, and, leaning upon 
him, feel a proud consciousness of his virtue and his 
worth, induce him to become acquainted with the spirit 
of Odd-Fellowship. Fair maiden ! thou who occa- 
sionally repressests the strong impulses of the heart, 
and quietests the promptings of love, to meditate in 
deep solicitude and anxiety upon the uncertainty of the 
future — wouldst thou take for that future a strong and 
certain bond- of indemnity, persuade the object of 
thy affection to embrace the cause of Friendship, Love, 
and Truth. 

From these, and a thousand other reflections, which 
we have neither space nor time to name, we entreat 
our fair readers that they will not discourage Odd- 
Fellowship, but that they will rather aid it by their 
smile and approval. We assure them that they are 
deeply interested in its welfare — that it can cause them 



273 

no possible injury, but that it may procure them and 
theirs much real good. Their happiness is not the 
least object of its care. It will shed the sunlight of 
joy and consolation on the dark scenes of their lives — 
cheer and sustain them in their hour of trial — -come, 
it may be, to their aid, when all other friends fail 
them ! 



TO THE UNINITIATED. 

The experience of every considerate mind must 
teach the fleeting and transitory nature of worldly pos- 
sessions, and the uncertainty of health, which is to all 
the greatest earthly blessing that can be enjoyed, and 
the deprivation of which to the greater portion of 
mankind is the suspension of the necessary means of 
existence. 

The frugal ant, guided by a benevolent instinct of 
unerring Nature, improves the sunny hour to husband 
up its store ere the approach of barren, cheerless win- 
ter : and the impulse which here prompts this petty 
member of the brute creation to action in its own be- 
half is the same impulse which gave our Order birth ; 
brought by process of intellect to that admirable system 
which distinguishes the first of God's creation when 
exerted in a noble and righteous cause. 

The condition in which man finds himself placed 
on earth, as both an individual and a member of the 
social compact, is fully calculated to develop the finer 
features of his nature. He perceives that his own hap- 



274 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

piness depends upon the welfare of those to whom he 
is connected by the most inseparable ties ; his sensitive 
mind can not contemplate distress and misery without 
a shudder of pity and a desire to alleviate it ; and thus, 
from his own magnanimous nature, he becomes an ac- 
tive and willing agent in the cause of benevolence, 
friendship, and charity. 

But to dispense charity with a discriminate hand, to 
extend effectual relief to worthy objects, it is necessary 
that some systematic form of procedure be established 
for the purpose of rendering that relief mutual ; and 
we may here see the first grand principle of our Order. 
He who enters our ranks, subscribes to our regula- 
tions, pays his moiety for our support, becomes virtu- 
ally a shareholder, entitled to all its privileges and 
immunities, and in the dark hour of gloom and suffer- 
ing, the honest "grip" of a brother Odd-Fellow will 
warm his heart, sootbe his weary, sleepless couch, and, 
unlike the fawning pretensions of too, too many sun- 
shine friends, yield him something more substantial 
than that poor consolation which words and professions 
alone can offer to the frame borne down with long suf- 
fering, rendered still more hideous by the too near 
approach of want. 

He who lawfully seeks relief from this source comes 
not in the shape of the humble alms-asking applicant, 
with cap in hand, to solicit the poor pittance which 
inconsiderate Plenty gives, and yet too often denies, to 
sorrow-stricken Poverty. Here is no compromising 
of that manly independence which is his proudest 
boast; his wants are anticipated, and he receives back 
with interest the bounty which he freely gave, ere Mis- 
fortune cast her murky shades around him. 



275 

But this is but a recapitulation of facts well known , 
and the question is, whether Odd-Fellowship, if car- 
ried out upon the principles which now identify it, will 
effect the grand object of its aim, to protect from the 
pangs of want those who enrol themselves upon its 
lists. The sum necessary to become a member is by 
no means large, when the privileges conferred are 
taken into consideration, together with the fact that it is 
called for in the hour of prosperity. 

A long array of facts and figures might be cited to 
prove that this Order will answer its intended object ; 
but the necessity of adducing such proofs as these is 
uncalled for, the experiment speaking for itself; nearly 
all the Lodges in this country being in a prosperous 
condition, ready and willing at all times to meet all 
just demands against them. 

The sentiment upon which our Institution depends 
most for support and existence is the sentiment of true 
brotherhood, that mutual principle which should prompt 
to lay aside all personal differences and sacrifice all 
party considerations for the benefit of the general weal. 
The effect of this dangerous spirit — personal and party 
difference — may be read upon nearly every page of 
the world's history. Institutions laid upon foundations 
more solid and enduring, perhaps, than our own, have 
felt its shivering force and gone down to oblivion, and 
live only upon their timeworn and worthless records 
Nations standing high, rejoicing in an industrious pop- 
ulation, with all the appliances and means of endurance, 
have been struck from their high and splendid emi- 
nence, and become the " schoolboy's dream, the won- 
der of an hour!" This baneful spirit can never be 
productive of aught but evil, and every true Odd-Fel- 



276 

low is called upon, by the most emphatic and forcible 
considerations, to frown upon the approach of this 
insidious and destroying hydra. Where fellowship is 
the nerve, and amity and good-will the aim, Peace and 
Plenty sit like household gods upon our altar-places. 

This Institution, when considered in a moral point 
of view, may be pronounced one of the most splendid 
undertakings ever set on foot ; no spectacle so grand 
to the eye can be presented, as men coming volunta- 
rily forth to the relief of the distressed and suffering. 
Science, with unceasing energy, may soar beyond the 
visible diurnal sphere, and weigh with faultless balance 
innumerable suns and systems, and bring down to the 
ken of earthly vision newly-discovered worlds, to the 
great delight of the philosopher and scholar : but see 
the " friend of man" bending o'er the emaciated form 
of his brother, presenting to his fevered lips the cool- 
ing draught, and say which appears more benign, more 
Godlike ! 

The nature of our Institution, by its formation, is 
eminently calculated to inculcate feelings of liberality, 
to soothe all feelings of bigotry and prejudice. Here 
may be seen members of the most hostile sects and 
parties, forgetting for the time their peculiar tenets and 
predilections, and mingling together in fellowship and 
love. 

The world abounds with institutions founded with 
benevolent views ; but how many of them are estab- 
lished upon the narrow basis of party, or sect, of 
nation ! They indeed dispense aid to the sufferings 
of those of their own fraternity, but their rules prevent 
the admittance of all except those who are qualified 
by the circumstances of creed, nation, or profession. 



277 

No such qualification is here required ; the test neces- 
sary for admission into our Order is, a good reputa- 
tion and character for morality and honor ; it heeds 
not whether the man be a native of the Old or New 
World. Jew or Gentile, rich or poor : at his approach 
our portals open, he enters and becomes a brother. 

The tendency of Odd-Fellowship upon the minds 
and characters of its members, independent of the 
direct aid which it confers, is well calculated to de- 
velop those fine and social feelings which are the honor 
of our nature. It inculcates morality by the most 
forcible, and I may say practicable lessons ; it teaches 
men the sweetness of friendship and affection, and 
renders every man more fit to fulfil his duties as the 
head of his own household and as a member of the 
community. Its expressive mottoes and axioms are 
most acceptable to the moral, the benevolent, and the 
charitable. By them, men are reminded of their duty 
toward their God, their families, and their neighbors. 
In the Lodge-room they listen to exhortations which 
must banish all evil and improper thoughts from their 
breasts, and render them good and peaceful members 
of society. 

Odd-Fellowship to young men is, indeed, a benefit. 
It may be called a powerful conservator of their mor- 
als, and morality is the great safeguard of health. The 
mi ids of the most pure *md well-meaning will some- 
times go astray, sometimes turn aside from the plain 
avenue of virtue, to glean the flattering flowers that 
stand temptingly by the w T aysides, siren-like, to allure 
and destroy the infatuated votary. The world pre- 
sents too many seductive pleasures for the minds of 
all to withstand : for living instances of this kind, we 



278 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

need not go far. Let any review the course of his 
own observation — look around the circle of his own 
acquaintance — and behold how many young men, full 
of promise and hope, with splendid intellect and ca- 
pacity, have lost their fair fame by some impetuous 
act, and become objects of loathing and pity; how 
many, in the unguarded hour of conviviality, have 
raised the flowing goblet to their lips by way of healthy 
salutation to their friends, meaning no ill, and little 
dreaming of the sad fate that awaited them ! See 
many of them now ! watch the eye, that once sparkled 
with healthy vision, flickering with a sickly and ghastly 
hue — ambition, that load-star of youth, beaming no 
more for them — all pride gone, all respect, all energy, 
and the weak frame tottering to the inebriate's prema- 
ture grave ! A sad spectacle ; yet such as all have 
witnessed. Fortune, too, has her votaries ; and the 
gaming-table displays its glittering heaps to those who 
would stake fame, honor, soul, family, and all, against 
the yellow earth, and, in the essay to win, lose all — 
and seal their wretchedness through life. 

When we claim for our Order those qualities which 
tend to prevent these disastrous circumstances, we 
elaim for it no more than its equitable due ; each Odd- 
Fellow being bound by the most sacred obligation to 
advise and counsel a brother, to notify him of danger, 
and to stand as a guardian of his morals, reputation, 
and health. 

The wide extent of our Order, and the immense 
addition that has been made to it within the Fast kw 
years, evince that the prejudice with which secret 
societies were once received is now fast fleeing away ; 
the effects of the existenc of this Order have spoken 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 279 

in its behalf ; and the general sentiment prevails, tha? 
men whose actions are guided by philanthropy and 
benevolence can not prove dangerous. 

In regard to the secrecy, which is the only possible 
objection to our Order, we have spoken of it in 
preceding pages of this work. The world has been 
favored with innumerable dissertations upon secret 
societies, and their real or supposed etfect on the morals 
of the people ; and they have all come to one and the 
same conclusion, that they may be justifiable where 
secrecy is necessary. We know that we possess no 
more secrecy than is indispensable to our existence, 
and, accordingly, we feel little compunction at the 
mysterious nature of our Order. Every Odd-Fellow 
has sound views upon this theme. Ours is not that 
awful secrecy which would frown from our precincts 
all visiters, at all times, and impress silence, with a 
mysterious air, upon all who would inquire into our 
principles; but we do and must possess certain signs 
and emblems that will make us known to each other, 
and protect us from the imposition of designing and 
unprincipled men. 

We rank among our fraternity many of the eminent 
men of the land— eminent for intellect and capacity- — 
eminent for the purity and probity of their actions ; 
men who have given hostages to the world for the full 
performance of their duties ; and none can suppose 
that they, with a full knowledge of its nature, would 
remain connected with it if it were different from what 
it professes to be — an institution, the object of which 
is to relieve the wants of its brethren. 

The violent politician finds neither place nor time 
within the Lodge to promulgate his peculiar views and 



280 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

opinions; the infatuated sectary finds here no respon- 
sive converts to his faith : here men must lay aside 
their predilections, and incite to the grand work of 
benevolence. 

America, from its peculiar physical nature, is highly 
favorable to the growth of institutions of a democratic 
and benevolent tendency. The tone of popular sen- 
timent is, generally speaking, liberal and considerate; 
and anything proposed for the alleviation of human 
suffering, for the furtherance of the general good, in 
nearly all cases meets with encouragement and sup- 
port. Schools for the education of all classes now 
exist in profusion throughout the land ; asylums for 
the retirement of those who have become shattered and 
broken down by the storms of mental vicissitude may 
be seen in all sections of the country: and, when we 
consider that the most of these splendid charities are 
the fruits of voluntary subscription, we are justly proud 
of the land we live in ; we can not pronounce her 
name without feeling our hearts to overflow with grati- 
tude and joy. Here, upon the continent of young 
America, humanity has found a safe and hospitable 
shelter from the blighting effects of persecution. Here 
young, bright-eyed Liberty sought a refuge from her 
lawless ravishers, and found a welcome home and 
brave defenders. Here Friendship, Love, and Truth, 
the principles of Odd-Fellowship, have found a genial 
and healthy soil. 

Odd-Fellowship is genuine republicanism. We do 
not insinuate, by this, that it has anything to do in the 
political movements of the day : it has no business, 
nor does it desire to have, with the various parties in 
State politics that array themselves, in clamorous strife, 



281 

against each other. When we say that Odd-Fellow- 
ship is republicanism, we mean, that in the dispensation 
of its (rovernment, and the bestowment of its bounties 
and honors, the peojile, the members, bear the rule and 
share equal and undisputed rights. In reference to its 
organization and body politic, we may say with Sir 
William Jones : — 

" "What constitutes a state ? 
Not high-raised battlement or labored mound, 

Thick wall or moated gate ; 
Not cities proud, with spires and turrets crowned ; 
Not bays and broad -armed ports : 

No: men — high-minded men — 
With powers as far above dull brutes endued, 

In forest, brake, or den, 
As beasts excel cold rocks and brambles rude ; 

Men, who their duties know, 
But know their rights, and, knowing, dare maintain, 

Prevent the long-aimed blow, 
And crush the tyrant while they rend the chain — 

These constitute a stated 

It is the nature of our country and her laws u) 
receive to her bosom the homeless exile, to protect 
him from political persecution. And it is our duty, 
as countrymen and as Odd-Fellows, to welcome our 
needy brethren from the lands beyond the sea, and to 
contribute our " mite" to the alleviation of their mis- 
ery. We shall still go on in our " labor of love," 
disseminating the principles that unite us as brothers, 
till the clouds of human suffering, which now shroud 
in gloom so many of our fellow-creatures, shall burst 
and roll away, before the approach of that sun which 
shall be hailed as the magic focus of brilliant radii, 
formed by the tokens and elegant emblems of our Order. 



282 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 



ODD-FELLOWSHIP AND PATRIOTISM. 

Our Order is no political association. "We are 
taught, as Odd-Fellows, to be subservient to the " pow- 
ers that be," and to obey strictly the laws, yet we give 
no political pledges — we are united by no political 
bond of union — we aspire not to any political authority. 
We are bound by our obligations to perform all the 
duties which can be required of good citizens ; and a 
violation of any of these laws, if proven against a mem- 
ber of our Fraternity, will subject him to immediate 
expulsion from our Society. We do not profess to a 
love of country beyond that of other men : in our teach- 
ings we counsel and inculcate peace and deprecate 
war; but in defence of the honor or the rights of their 
native land, Odd-Fellows would not be the last to re- 
spond to her call. As a proof of this assertion, Ave 
might refer to the hundreds of our brothers who en- 
rolled themselves in the regiments of the volunteers in 
the Mexican war : and we might also say that, while 
the bones of many of them were left on the fields of 
battle in a foreign land, their names and virtues are 
yet green in our memory; and that, though on earth 
we shall never again grasp their hand in friendship, 
yet we confidently expect to meet them in the Odd- 
Fellows' home of glory ! 



283 



ODD-FELLOWSHIP AND RELIGION. 

This Order is no religious association; yet, "Do 
unto others as you would they should do unto you" is 
the fundamental basis on which the entire fabric of 
Odd-Fellowship reposes. It assumes no higher au- 
thority than the regulation of the moral action of its 
members, while it confides an elucidation of the sub- 
line requisites of the Sacred Scriptures to the minis- 
ters of Religion. It demands no obligations which 
would in the slightest degree violate a man's duty to 
his God, his country, his neighbor, or his family. It 
exacts no perilous vows which would implicate his 
fealty to his spiritual persuasions ; for it comprehends 
and embraces men of every creed, sect, tenet, and reli- 
gious denomination. It repudiates infidelity, but it 
assumes not that prerogative which the Great Searcher 
of hearts has reserved to himself alone. "Judge not, 
that ye be not judged," is the rule of action to every 
member of this Fraternity. 

The depravity of man renders it expedient for means 
to be employed to lead him from the paths of vice to 
those of virtue : and this should be done by inculca- 
ting the divine precepts of the Bible. This is what 
we do. But, while we teach those precepts in a man- 
ner peculiar to ourselves, we do not war with the prin- 
ciples of any sect. Jew or Gentile, Catholic or Protest- 
ant, is, as such, welcome to our Lodges and our hearts. 



284 THE ODD-FELLOWS* TEXT-BOOK. 



AN ADDRESS FOR THE USE OF 
ODD-FELLOWS. 

[We have introduced this Address in the "Text-Book" for a specific 
purpose, as follows: It frequently occurs that Lodges, especially in remote 
rural districts, having occasion for some puhlic demonstration, lack a 
" speaker," and are obliged to send for one a long way from home, at great 
expense. To obviate this necessity and cost, this Address may very prop- 
erly be used, by some brother of the Lodge, who could easily commit it to 
memory and deliver it. To the audience generally it will most likely be 
new, and therefore as interesting as some Addresses for which the Lodge 
might be required to pay fifty or a hundred dollars.] 

Respected Auditors : We have assembled this 
evening to contemplate a subject on which, if we can 
not be of one heart and one mind, we can at least 
coolly examine its claims to public confidence and 
favor. The sacredness of this place, the aspect of this 
audience, the motives connected with the occasion that 
lias brought us here, and the unanimity of the friendly 
feeling which pervades community in reference to equal 
rights and freedom of speech, are earnests to us of a 
patient hearing and a candid judgment. Like Paul 
before King Agrippa, I may say : " I am happy, be- 
cause I shall answer for myself" this evening, touching 
the things connected with an Association now known 
far and wide by the unique appellation of "Odd-Fel- 
lowship." It is expected that one pretending to teach 
others will know something himself. He who lectures 
on astronomy or geology, is supposed to understand 



285 



something of the heavens and the earth, as an indis- 
pensable guaranty that his hearers may become ac- 
quainted with their sublime features and mysteries. 
Shunning a labored and extended introduction, I enter 
at once on the task assigned me this evening. I could 
have wished that this task had been assigned to abler 
hands : but " such as I have, give I unto thee." 

We shall, in the first place, ask what Odd-Fellow- 
ship is? 

2. What it has done and is now doing for the good 
of men? 

3. Are there causes in the social, physical, and rela- 
tive condition of our race, for its operations? 

4. By what means will it be crowned with success? 
The question, "What is Odd-Fellowship?" you 

have heard answered perhaps repeatedly ; peradven- 
ture you have answered it yourselves. If you will 
apply to a physician to ask what the nervous system 
is, and to a chemist to teach you the law of affinity and 
repulsion — if you inquire of a Christian to know what 
Christianity is — I ask no more, at present, than a few 
moments for an Odd-Fellow to tell what Odd-Fellow- 
ship is. Would you go to the writings of Hobbs, 
Rousseau, Voltaire, or Paine, to know the claims and 
influences of the Christian religion? Then do not 
receive from Rumor's tongue her hasty verdict, nor 
the partial decisions of Prejudice. Odd-Fellowship is 
a philanthropic Institution. If there are secret cords 
which bind its members together, that have not been 
found out, and which would not be condemned if they 
were, yet one of its vital energies and of its foundation- 
pillars is Philanthropy. Men are here associated, for 
the purpose of doing good to their fellow-men. This 



286 

Institution recognises the fact which is written in fear- 
ful emblems on the broad face of the creation, that mis- 
fortune, and misery, and death, are in the earth. Where 
we find men like ourselves, there we find the " pesti- 
lence that walketh in darkness and wasteth at noon- 
day." Where we find inhabitants, there too the sigh 
is uttered — the tear-drop falls from Sorrow's cheek. 
Where the laughing and merry children meet and gam- 
bol on the green, or sport in the meadow ; where the 
song of the young villagers, and the clangor of busy 
life, and the rattling wheels of industry are heard, there 
too the widow utters her lamentation, and the helpless 
orphan cries in the bitterness of bereavement — there 
are the pillows of death, and the fresh and new-dug 
graves. Odd-Fellowship was organized, not for the 
purpose of ridding the world of these pains and sor- 
rows — not to reorganize the present state of things — 
but to meliorate and soften the evils to which humanity 
is subject. It is an association of philanthropists, who, 
regarding all men as themselves, mortal, and subject 
to the miseries and reverses of the world, would unite 
their means and efforts to smooth the haggard features 
of Want, and soften the iron bands of Misfortune and 
Poverty. Philanthropy, in its high and broad sense, 
knows no favorites ; it goes to the prison-house, to the 
damp, dark cell, to the tattered cottage, to every place 
where humanity suffers, where the chains clank and 
"the iron eats into the soul ;" wherever there is mis- 
ery, its soft voice is heard like the rush of an angel's 
wing, and its hands apply the remedy and the antidote. 
Now if it be said that the philanthropy of Odd-Fellow- 
ship is a stinted and contracted one — that it is confined 
to its own members — the same objection may be urged 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 287 

against other benevolent institutions, against Christi- 
anity itself, and the present order of society. The in- 
junction of the gospel, " Heaven's best gift to man," is, 
"Do good unto all men, especially unto the household 
of faith." Can we say that Christianity is not a system 
of philanthropy, because it prescribes especial and par- 
ticular beneficence to its advocates? The present or- 
ganization of the social community in which we live 
is such, from the ties of family and kindred consan- 
guinity, that if the most philanthropic man among us 
should see two children, one of them his own, about to 
be devoured by a ravenous beast, and he could save 
but one of them, he would preserve his own child and 
let the other perish. This would not vitiate his phi- 
lanthropy. It is no valid objection, then, against our 
Compact, that it gives a preference as regards its bene- 
factions to its members. It will be remembered, too, 
that the members of every Lodge have claims that are 
not of universal application. They have contributed 
their earnings into the funds ; their money is there ; 
and they should be entitled, by a claim superior to 
others', to draw it out from these funds when the day 
of adversity comes. 

But I remark again, Odd-Fellowship is a domesti- 
cating Institution. I mean by this, that it unites indi- 
viduals together as a family or household, in which 
there is a mutual and reciprocal feeling of kindness 
snd brotherly love. Do we not all know the influences, 
and associations, and endearments, that cluster around 
the almost magic words, " home, sweet home" ? The 
venturous youth on the high mountain-wave thinks of 
his home. The kind mother has there smoothed his 
sick-pillow, and eased his aching head, and felt proud 

19 



288 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

of her bonny boy as ha conned his lessons and chased 
the gossamer butterfly across the flowery meadows. 
Often when the tempests threaten and the thunders 
roll, she sleeps not till her prayer ascends for her 
sailor-boy to Him who "rides upon the wings of the 
wind" — who commands, and the lightnings cease. 
Yea, there is a kind of charm that goes with us all our 
life long, that "grows with our growth and strengthens 
with our strengths," that comes up in its thrilling and 
bewitching revery, when we think of our home. The 
parent was there ; he laid the foundation-stone in the 
temple of our glory : there w T e were learned the sweet 
music of love — there we revelled in the delights of 
the purest affection of earth. There we were taught 
the best of all governments, the government of our- 
selves. There the brother smiled in joy when we 
were happy, and the sister and the mother wept when 
we were sad. Similar to this is the social Compact of 
which we are speaking: it recognises the duty and 
office of father, brother, and friend. Like the children 
that gather around the domestic hearth of one father — 
bound together by the bonds of fraternal love — so 
Odd-Fellows, if they are true to their principles and 
obligations, make their Lodge a peaceful and desirable 
home — a home in which 

"Reflection, reason, still the ties improve — 
At once extend the interest and the love ; 
And still new deeds, new helps, new habits, rise, 
That graft benevolence on charities." 

It will be said that there are individuals in the Order 
who are strangers, in both heart and conduct, to prin- 
ciples of this fraternal character. We pretend nojj^to 



TEXT-BOOK. 289 

deny this, as humiliating as the concession may appear. 
But do not charge this Institution with moulding and 
forming the character of such men ; do not say the 
genial and legitimate tendency of the Association is 
demoralizing. This would be to say that Christianity 
betrayed its own Founder with a kiss, and by its influ- 
ence led Peter to curse and to swear. This would be 
saying that there is no true religion — that it is not 
founded on charity — because men have put it on as a 
cloak to rob and destroy. It would be saying that the 
whole system of medicine is a phantom or a farce, be- 
cause some arrant quacks have attempted to use the 
pill-box and the lancet. We say, then, Odd-Fellow- 
ship is of a domestic nature. Its members find ties of 
friendship and cords of love strong and endearing as 
those that unite the inmates of a well-regulated and 
happy family. He who once enters this family circle 
will find the principle developed which was exhibited 
by one of old: "Let there be no strife, 1 pray thee, 
between us, for we are brethren." 

Once more, I observe, this is an Institution of mu- 
tual relief. The members deposite in the treasury of 
their Lodge a weekly and monthly due, which in the 
sunny days of health and prosperity they can easily 
spare, and which returns to them with seven-fold bles- 
sings when disease has prostrated them on a bed of 
sickness. What industrious mechanic can not lay 
aside four or five dollars a year from his earnings, to 
go into the funds of his Society? This small sum 
may be saved in the retrenchment of some of his luxu- 
ries, perhaps ; or a hat, a coat, a pair of boots, a party 
less costly than usual by a dollar, will afford the re- 
quired sum. This yearly amount comes back to a 



290 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

member for every week that he may be sick, or inca- 
pacitated from attending to his usual business. This 
we regard as one of the best features in the Institution. 
It is one that should commend itself to every lover of 
humanity and benevolence — the relief of the sick. 
This voluntary and benign principle manifests itself 
in deeds of charity and benevolence ; in its exercise 
the lonely orphan finds a benefactor, the widowed heart 
is cheered, and the sick-room, the cold and fireless 
hearth, break forth into thanksgiving and praise. Mu- 
tual relief! it is this that starts our courageous firemen 
at midnight from their peaceful slumbers, and, at the 
clangor of bells and the cry of fire, carries them amid 
darkness and the storm to the scene of devastation. 
Now they mount the flaming pile — and in the gather- 
ing clouds of smoke and the crashing ruin, their motto 
is, " To the rescue ! on, to relief — to the salvation of 
life from the jaws of menacing Death — to the preser- 
vation of property from the devouring flames !" Let 
one of these guardians of our property perish amid the 
raging element and the tottering walls, and his memory 
deserves as conspicuous a place on the bright escutch- 
eon of fame and glory as he who fell under the walls 
of Quebec, or those who bled at Lexington and Bun- 
ker Hill. He flew to the relief of his friends, his fel- 
low-citizens, and died a martyr in the glorious cause 
of benevolence, in relieving humanity and driving back 
the swelling tide of human woe. The young and the 
old shall cherish his memory with gratitude, and a God 
of compassion and benevolence will not forsake his 
widow and orphans. Look, too, at the Temperance 
cause : it professes to be based on the principle before 
us. "Mutual relief!" is the watchword; the stern 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 291 

voice of war is hushed, and the soft melody of kind 
ness and good will is whispered in the ear of the 
drunkard, and he begins to feel that he is a man, in- 
stead of a beast — that instead of being friendless, for- 
saken, and alone, the common mark for the contemptu- 
ous and the scornful lip, he is regarded as within the 
reach of reformation, and it has been found out that 
there is yet one spark in his moral nature which can 
be kindled into life and light by kindness and the prin- 
ciple of mutual relief. What the thunders and the 
lightnings of threats and proscription could not do, the 
balmy and tender influence of goodness and love has 
overcome, as everlasting hills of ice melt away before 
the noonday sun. " Odd-Fellowship" is but another 
name for this very principle, mutual relief — a combi- 
nation of powers and means, the accumulation of a 
fund to draw from, when we need the comforts and 
sympathies of friends. It is no more true that the 
stockholder can claim his share of the profits of a bank, 
than it is that the members of this Society have a claim 
to, and that they receive, the moneys deposited in its 
treasury. 

Do you ask, then, why we stand up to plead its 
cause? why men are thus associated in this Institution, 
and what the nature of the Compact is? I answer: 
It is a Society organized for the relief of its members. 
When the paralyzing hand of Disease has laid me on 
a couch of suffering ; when the silver cord is loosing, 
and the golden bowl is breaking; when, helpless and 
low, I am breathing out my life — then will this Society 
shed its blessings around me, watch with me, and soften 
the tedious dreariness of my sick-couch. When Affec- 
tion's hallowed tears shall embalm my ashes, and " the 



292 THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 

clods of the valley shall be sweet unto me" — when it 
shall ho said of me, "Life's fitful fever over, he sleeps 
well" — then do I trust tnat my brother-members of 
this Association will carry out one of the prominent 
objects of this Order, "visit the fatherless children, 
and be the protector of tne widow." Let me, then, 
cling to its altars ; let me speak in its behalf; let me 
see its banners unfurled in every land ; let me hear its 
voice echoed from the valley to the mountain-top ; let 
its principles, "Friendship, Love, and Truth," like 
Jupiter's golden chain, draw the earth into one great 
brotherhood, till not a cry of the orphan comes up 
from the cheerless hearthstone unheard ; till not a tear 
starts from the widow's eye unseen and unpitied ; till 
Charity, Philanthropy, and Mutual Relief, shall have 
made more, and wider, and farther-reaching* conquests, 
than glittering spears, or gilded crescent, and waving 
plume ; till it shall be said of this crazy, selfish world — 

"Here Love his golden shafts employs, here lights 
His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings: 
Here reigns and revels." 

But I am dwelling too long on this part of my sub- 
ject. I pass to the second query : What has Odd- 
Fellowship done, and what is it now doing? 

We speak, firstly, of its rapid and unprecedented 
increase. About thirty-two years ago, five persons in 
the city of Baltimore met in a small upper room, like 
the primitive Christians, and there laid the corner-stone 
of Odd-Fellowship on this side of the Atlantic ? They 
were viewed, of course, with the Argus-eye of suspi- 
cion. Rumor and Jealousy, which look on almost 
everything of this kind through false mediums, im- 
pugned their motives, and regarded this Compact, 



293 

small as it was, a cabal of darkness — a secret horde 
of Fellows indeed, combined to set at naught the 
principles of religion and virtue, and to entrap the 
simple in the snares of wickedness. But what is it 
now? From this small beginning, a mighty tree has 
put forth its far-reaching branches, which overshadow 
the land ; the Potomac of Maryland and the St. Croix 
of Maine "shout to each other." Every city, town, 
and hamlet, unfurls its banners and resounds with the 
knock of its gavil. Let it increase in the same ratio 
another ten years, and the man who leaves the granite- 
hills of the Old Bay State, to see the setting sun gild- 
ing the Rocky mountains, may stop every night of his 
journey at a regular meeting of Odd-Fellows. There 
are in the United States thirty-one Grand Lodges, 
two thousand four hundred subordinate Lodges, and 
nearly two hundred thousand contributing members. 
According to the official data of the year 1850,* one 
million two hundred and eighteen thousand dollars 
were paid into the funds of those Lodges ; and the 
amount paid out, during the same period, to sick 
brothers, for funeral expenses, etc., was half a million 
of dollars. I leave it to your own candor and mag- 
nanimity to decide whether the disbursement of half a 
million of dollars for one year, under the direction of 
a chosen and judicious " Sick-Committee," as it is 
called, has done any good. I am willing to allow this 
audience to be the tribunal, to decide whether four or 
five dollars paid to a brother for every week in which 
he lay sick, and, in case of death, thirty dollars for his 
funeral expenses to his widow, have done any good. 
* See page 325 for the condition of the Order in 1870, and it 
will be seen that this prophecy has been far more than fulfilled. 



294 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

Yet this has been done again and a^ain, and is now 
being done in all parts of the land. I say nothing 
of the visits, and attentions, and sympathies of the 
brothers ; let these speak for themselves. 

To those, then, who have united their zeal and 
energies to organize a Lodge in this place, and have 
invited this audience here this evening, let me say, 
you have great encouragement ; the harvest is already 
white and ripe, and you may thrust in the sickle. See 
what has arisen from the union of only five men, and 
that at a time when they were alone ; no kindred and 
encouraging voice was spoken in their ear from the 
world around them. It would have been madness for 
them to expect to see such a meeting as this, of ladies 
and gentlemen sufficiently interested in their cause to 
listen to an exposition of its merits. 

But young men and maidens, and the man of gray 
hairs, have come up here to-night to hear us of this 
matter. You have a number of brothers around you 
to cheer you on, to give you the warm grasp of an 
Odd-Fellow's hand, and to tell you, " On, on ! my 
brethren, for you carry more than ' Cesar and his 
fortunes.' " 

Do you ask, then, what Odd-Fellowship has done? 
I answer : It has gone to the bed-side of the sick and 
the dying ; it has carried the means of procuring bread 
to famishing children ; it has followed the dead to 
their last and long home ; it is extracting from the cup 
of misery its bitterness, laying plans for the relief of 
the distressed, rolling back the tide of human woe, and 
making men feel the truth, " All ye are brethren." 

Again, I remark, Odd-Fellowship encourages liberal 
principles. By this I mean it has no sympathy with 
the rigid and austere feelings of the age in which the 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 295 

heretic burned, and freedom of thought and opinion 
was deemed dangerous to the state. A man with us 
may believe what his conscience and his convictions 
of the truth dictate. Our only care is to know whether 
he is an honest man ; whether he have that moral dis- 
position and affinity of character to the principles of 
our Order that make him love the names Benevolence, 
Fidelity, Charity, Friendship, Truth. If none of 
these virtues constitute a leading feature in his charac- 
ter, he may have the faith which removes mountains — - 
he can be no ornament or aid to the Institution. We 
adopt the language of the Indian chief, called "Red 
Jacket," to a missionary : " We never quarrel about 
our religion." Hence, those sectarian and party views 
which have too frequently been the source of discord 
and bitterness in the world are avoided in this Institu- 
tion. One may say, " I am of Paul, and another of 
Cephas, or Apollos :" we are all one in brotherly love. 
None are admitted into the Order because they have 
a very great faith, none expelled because their faith is 
too narrow. If it is liberality to allow one to enjoy 
unmolested his own opinions in religious matters, then 
Odd-Fellows are liberal. All sects and names unite 
here in the building of one temple, whose pillars stand 
on the everlasting foundation "Peace on earth and 
good-will to men." 

44 From lowest place where virtuous things proceed, 
The place is dignified by the doer's deed ; 
Where great additions swell, and virtue none^ 
It is a dropsied honor; good alone 
Is good, without a name ; vileness is so; 
The property by what it is should go, 
Not by the title." 



296 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

We have an "odd" name; but if the principle of 
the Compact is good — if it has done any good — the 
name is of but little consequence. Pure water is 
water still, whether it come from a goblet of double- 
refined gold, or flow from the jawbone that slaked the 
thirst of Samson. But the question will be asked, if 
you mean well and are doing well, why do you have 
secrets and talk to us about mysteries? Have you 
not wished most ardently, when the beggar has asked 
you for the boon of charity, that you knew whether or 
not he was a real object of charity? When he has 
told you his tale of woe, his shipwreck and losses, or 
showed you his scars of wounds alleged to be the 
marks of patriotic and honorable battle, have you not 
heartily wished that there was some secret or hidden 
mode to know whether he was an impostor or not? 
Yet this is all the use that we have for our secrets. 
Many of our brethren come from a distance, and 
solicit the aid of our Institution. How should we 
know them, unless there were signs and tokens pecu- 
liar to the Order? We should be the constant dupes 
of imposture, and the prey of deception and fraud. 
The whole secret of our secrets, then, is this : to pre- 
vent imposition and to know each other. If we are to 
be condemned for such secrets, then you may con- 
demn the faithful sentinel at his vigils, who allows no 
man to pass into the camp without the "countersign." 

In the third place we were to inquire whether there 
are causes in the social, physical, and relative condition 
of our race for the action of such a society. This is 
so almost self-evident and indisputable that we need 
not stop long to discuss it. Man, to-day, is nerved 
with the sinews of health, and he wields the clanking 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 297 

hammer and the sounding mallet, as a blithesome child 
does his rattle; to-morrow, the feverish brow, and the 
faltering voice, and the pallid cheek, are the certain 
index of the inspired truth, " We all do fade as a 
leaf." A cessation from toil and the usual receipts of 
labor, a prostrated, sinking frame, and the forebodings 
of poverty and dissolution, come not over the soul of 
the young and single, perhaps, with that thrilling power 
which they strike into the heart of the husband and 
the father. If nothing has been laid up for this evil 
day (which is quite common), but a (e\v suns roll over 
the sick man's bed, a few sleepless nights i re passed, 
and squalid Want and Destitution enter the late joyous 
and happy abode. Must the children be sent out to 
beg from the charities of a cold and selfish world ? 
This would break the father's heart, already wrung 
with anguish and sinking in despair. Shall they be 
sent to the poorhouse ? The man of a generous and 
noble spirit, whose industry and good name have 
yielded himself and family a competence, can not bear 
the thought. Rather would he see the last tool in his 
chest bartered for bread, and all the furniture of his 
dwelling, except his sick-couch, sold at a sacrifice, 
than come to this. Yea, there will be suffering — 
pinching, bitter suffering — in such a family, before 
the man will confess that it is so. His brothers of 
this Institution, if he is a member, are bound to carry 
to him his weekly due ; and, although it may be insuf- 
ficient to meet all the wants of the 'distressed house- 
hold, it must do some good. We all know that sick- 
ness and pain are among us, and call for the benevo- 
lent heart and hand to soothe the sufferer; there are 
tears which ask our sympathies ; there are lonely 



298 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

hearthstones, and abodes of misery, that invite the 
humane to " feel for others' woe;" in the narrow gar- 
ret and the damp cellar, among all classes of ages and 
callings, there are appeals, and beckoning hands, an^ 
prayerful voices, for the exercise of brotherly kind- 
ness, the operations of a deep, and generous, and pure 
benevolence. The reasons for the organization of 
such an Institution as Odd-Fellowship, therefore, are 
found in the present condition of society, in the uni- 
versal liability to want, and poverty, and wretched- 
ness. It is not all poetry, that " man was made to 
mourn ;" the dark drapery of sorrow hangs over the 
earth ; there is weeping in the land ; trembling age is 
stealing on ; misfortune may come to all ; our fathers' 
graves are green; and the orphan, with outstretched 
hands and moving lamentations, calls for our aid. 
These, in brief, are the motives that laid the first stone 
in the rising temple of this Order. To relieve the 
distressed, to soften the hard features of poverty, to be 
a father to the fatherless, and the benefactor of the 
widow, constitute the very elements of this Association. 
Some sages predict that this Society of Odd-Fellow- 
ship will soon run its career of glory, and sink in 
darkness, to rise no more. It may be so. If it is not 
founded in truth, supported and sustained by the prin- 
ciples of Friendship, and Charity, and Benevolence, 
it ought to fall. As much as I esteem it, at this mo- 
ment — as firm as my faith is in the purity of its prin- 
ciples — and as positive as our knowledge is that it 
has done deeds of Love, I say, if the gallant ship 
changes her streamer, on which Justice floats, for the 
pirate's flag, let her sink ! If the principles of this 
Institution are ever prostituted to griping Avarice, 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOH. 299 

grovelling Injustice, and deeds of blood — if it shall 
cease to hush the orphan's plaintive wail, aid the sick, 
bury the dead, and soothe the widowed heart — may 
it go down to the Plutonic realms of silence, and no 
trumpet-tongue ever sound its resurrection ! 

We are now to consider our fourth inquiry : By 
what means shall this Institution be crowned with 
success ? 

We have seen, already, that it has been successful 
in the increase of its numbers, in disseminating liberal 
views and feelings, and in alleviating, in various in- 
stances, the pains and sorrows of our fellow-men. 
What will prevent its cords from being broken, and 
its stakes from being removed ? What are the great 
conservative principles and measures, which, put into 
efficient action, will make us to say, as the immortal 
Adams is supposed to have said on the Congress-floor 
of " '76" : " We shall not fail ! We shall make this 
a glorious, an immortal day. When we are in our 
graves, our children will honor it. They will cele- 
brate it with thanksgiving, with festivity, with bonfires 
and illuminations. They will shed tears, copious, 
gushing tears — not of subjection and slavery, not of 
agony and distress, but of exultation, of gratitude, and 
of joy.'' This patriot, and coadjutor in framing our 
national independence, had no more of the spirit of 
ancient prophecy than you or I have. But he saw 
around him a band of heroes — men, independent 
men — who knew their rights, and dared assert and 
maintain them ; who had pledged " their lives, their 
fortunes, and their sacred honor," to do this. He knew 
the blood of these men would course in the veins of 
freemen, as it does this day, and that their successors 



300 

would guard, as the cherubim with his flaming sword, 
that " Declaration." Similar measures and means to 
those which have preserved and perpetuated our liber- 
ties and national independence, will also carry down 
the stream of time, unscathed and unharmed, the " In- 
dependent Order of Odd-Fellows." I do not mean 
that we shall buckle on the helmet and grasp the 
sword — that you shall see our ranks bristling with 
martial steel, and the war-horse prancing in blood, and 
the clouds gathering from the battle-smoke. No : the 
Founder of that Institution, which teaches us to become 
as a little child, said to his followers : " Put up the 
sword : my kingdom is not of this world, else would 
my servants fight." 

One of the means connected with the prosperity 
and ultimate glory of this Society, is perseverance. 
If that system of morality and truth which came from 
Heaven to reconcile and save humanity had its viru- 
lent opposers, and demanded the ardent courage and 
untiring perseverance of its advocates; if the declara- 
tion of our independence has cost treasure, and the 
strong-nerved energies of intrepid heroism and firm- 
ness, to insure its success, we need not presume that 
our path to glory and triumph is strewed with naught 
but flowers and beds of ease. Our Institution would be 
an "odd" one indeed, if it should grow and flourish 
with no opposition — no culturing, pruning hand — no 
persevering toil. As well may we expect to see 
breathing locomotives flying on our railroads, that made 
themselves, or hear the buzzing w T heels of manufacto- 
ries which the magic wand of some idle conjurer has 
called into existence. The hills and mountains have 
mouldered away ; even the deep-bedded rock has 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 301 

opened a pathway for steam, and commeice, and 
breathing life. Cities which were, some time ago, so 
far distant from each other that a long and tedious 
journey lay between, present only the obstacle of a 
short morning's ride ; and even the remote shores of 
the Pacific ocean have already become the journey of a 
few days. What has been done and what is yet to 
do, are signalized by perseverance; the execution of 
proper, judicious measures in reference to the proposed 
and desired end. It must be so in the formation, united 
action, and future success, of the Societies belonging 
to this Order. Public sentiment and unfavorable 
opinions, which are honestly, no doubt, indulged, in 
regard to the Institution, will assume a milder aspect, 
as our perseverance in well-doing is manifested and 
felt. The relief of one brother, the cheering aid car- 
ried to one sad home, the guidance of one orphan from 
the dark valley of despair to the road of light and 
joy, shall 

" Live, gratefully registered upon our tombs, 
And, spite of cormorant-devouring time, 
Shall make us heirs of all eternity." 

Again, I remark, the exercise of benevolence will 
lead us on to ultimate and lasting success. I thus 
judge from the developments of the past, from the in- 
trinsic quality of this virtue itself, and from the signs 
of the present times. Would you know what Benevo- 
lence is ? See it blending its colors and beauties in 
the rainbow ; descending in gentle showers from the 
fleecy clouds ; standing in pearly drops on the crimson 
rose ; beaming in the soft, mellow light of morning. 
Hear it in songs of praise in the woodlands and on 



302 

the bills, in the grassy meadows and beside the run- 
ning stream. Behold it and admire, in One who, while 
expiring amid the scoffs of his murderers, made a 
prayer that calls forth the inspired exclamation, " Hear, 
O ye heavens, and give ear, O ye earth !" Behold it 
in a Howard traversing the desert, enduring heat and 
cold, now laboring up the mountain, now ranging the 
valley, now in the noisome dungeon and the dismal 
prison-house, that he may do good to his fellow-men. 

" The spirits of the good, who bend from high 
Wide o'er these earthly scenes their gentle eye, 
When first arrayed in Virtue's purest robe, 
They saw her Howard traversing the globe, 
Mistook a mortal for an angel-guest, 
And asked what seraph-foot the earth imprest." 

Benevolence, good will, is one of the elements of 
our happiness. If we can make beds of roses for the 
sick and sorrowful, their sweetest perfume returns back 
to ourselves. Like the melodious and touching strains 
of music that come from the hand of a master which 
rejoice the hearer and the performer, so deeds of 
benevolence bless the one who does them. To this 
principle we look as one of the enduring features in 
our stability and success. Let us cling to this with an 
unyielding tenacity ; bind it about our frontlets ; let its 
spirit reign in our councils, and in our intercourse with 
the world ; and the ruinous despoilers, Discord and 
Anarchy, which have overturned empires, and dis- 
solved strong compacts, can not harm us. The laws 
of Lycurgus and Draco have sunk down into the tur- 
bid regions of the past, to be revived no more : they 
lacked benevolence. Even Solon's more democratic 



303 

institutions are long ago superseded by a greater and 
still greater manifestation of benevolence. The time 
is past in which men are so engrossed in the carnage 
of war, as to say, like one of old who saw his only son 
fall in battle : " Let me think now of nothing but vic- 
tory ; I will mourn to-morrow !" There is a broader 
and more expansive benevolence among us. The 
Spartan mother no longer gashes the flesh of her own 
children, to accustom them to the tortures and pains 
of bloody warfare, nor are our women made the de- 
graded slaves of a tyrant to till the ground with Helots. 
And while the overwhelming conquests of an Alexan- 
der and the daring exploits of a Hannibal may live in 
story as the " strange work" of dark and iron ages ; 
while the footsteps of Napoleon, dripping in the warm 
blood of humanity, may be traced by the pen of the 
historian from Marengo to Waterloo — and here, to 
them, is "end of all perfection" — the benevolence of 
Washington will be honored and practised, while the 
needle points to the pole, and the waters seek the 
great deep. This is so essential an attribute of every 
system and institution which has withstood the revul 
sions and changes of time, that we regard the Society 
of Odd-Fellows as destined to stand or fall according 
to its adherence or rejection of the principle. Benev- 
olence will stamp it with the seal of immortality ; it 
will wreathe around its altars chaplets of imperishable 
glory ; and give it a name, a standing, and a durability, 
which will last till the ponderous earth itself shall dis- 
solve, and " Time and Nature die." [That this So- 
ciety is now carrying out this principle, one single 
fact which I know, and of which I was an eye-witness, 

«s submitted to your judgment. I visited a sick brother 

20 



304 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

a few weeks since, who in all probability is nigh unt<8 
death Nature has long been grappling with the in- 
sidious disease. It was a retired room in a remote 
part of the dense, busy city. There, prostrate and 
helpless as an infant he lay, with his wife and little 
ones around him. Every night, two brothers from his 
Lodge are there to watch away its dreary sadness, and 
give the dying man all the solace that sympathy and 
kindness can give one in his condition. If the appro- 
priation of five dollars a week, and the constant atten- 
tions of brotherly love, are of any value, they are so at 
a time like this. Should this brother never arise from 
that bed of pain and languishing, the sum of thirty 
dollars will be paid by the Lodge to his widow, and 
his brethren will follow his remains to the grave. This 
is but a single case among hundreds : this is our be- 
nevolence.] 

[In bringing my remarks to a close, I would con- 
gratulate my brothers in this place that they are aroused 
to spirited action to build for themselves a temple of 
Benevolence. May success attend these efforts. Let 
the fair temple be crowned with the garlands of affec- 
tion ; let its foundation-stone be laid on that Truth 
which, though " crushed to earth, shall rise again ;" 
let every timber be laid in Benevolence, and joined 
together strongly compact by Friendship and Love. 
Let the insignia of this Order here be displayed in its 
emblematic colors, and its tinselled drapery cover many 
a warm heart that is throbbing in unison with its fellows 
in the cause of mutual relief, the melioration of suffer- 
ing humanity — the cause of the widow and orphan.]* 

* The parts in brackets, if inappropriate, are not to be used. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 305 

Brethren, the voice " Perseveix /" is wafted to you 
on the wings of the southern breeze ; it comes rushing 
along the winding rivers from the north ; it is trum- 
peted on locomotive and paddling wheels from the 
east ; and the broad Atlantic shall not keep back its 
sound from the Emerald isle and the sea-girt home of 
Victoria. Meet in harmony ; act with prudence and 
justice ; keep before you, as the tempest-tossed sea- 
man does his compass, " Friendship, Love, and Truth" 
— "visit the sick, bury the dead, and educate the or- 
phan." 

To this assembly, who have given me their respect- 
ful and patient audience, I say, I heartily thank you. 
We are proud of our Lodge, and shall do our duty as 
Odd-Fellows. We shall pour the oil of consolation 
into bruised hearts, and smooth the grave of the dead. 
We will pay no less taxes into your treasury, be no 
less devout in your churches ; we must, if we are true 
to our principles, be more benevolent, more charitable, 
and better men, than before. Ours is an addition to 
your benevolent institutions, which, although she may 
be somewhat "odd" in name, and to some have on 
the veil of the nun, yet in her hand she holds the 
" box of precious ointment ;" the good Samaritan has 
thrown upon her his mantle. No helmet, cleft with 
battle-axe, and bloody girdle wrenched from the fallen 
warrior, are her trophies ; " she stoops to conquer," 
but her power is Love, and her victories are the 
triumphs of Charity over Hatred, Good Will over 
Malice, Beneficence over Pain and Death. Give her, 
then, a seat at your " feast of charity ;" welcome her 
as a co-worker in alleviating the miseries of the world, 
and in diffusing those principles which " the inaudible 



306 THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 

and noiseless foot of Time" can not efface, and which 
will outlive the " everlasting mountains" and the " per- 
petual hills !" Far in the distance I see the conquests 
of this Order — a mighty band that no man can num- 
ber, from the four winds of heaven they come; their 
banners float in the sunlight that gilds the eastern hills, 
and wave in the breezes that kiss the Rocky mount- 
ains. The lion has lain down with the kid, the wolf 
and the fading together, and a little child is leading 
the leopard. Thousands of voices come, like the song 
of angels, singing in strains as gentle as the song of 
Bethlehem : " Friendship has won her laurels ; Love 
has subdued the world ; Truth is mighty, and has 
prevailed !" 



THE ODD-FELLOWS J TEXT-BOOK. 



307 



ODES FOR SEVERAL IMPORTANT OCCASIONS. 



Tenor. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEMPLE. 

May be used at the "laying of a corner-stone." 

Music by Th. Elmer Smith. 



WM 



^fe^sa 



^pcqt 



4=W 



SS 



1. All hail the glorious work of love Aus - pi-cious-ly be- gun! 
Air. 




mm* mmm 



2. And cher-ub back to ser-aph call To leave his shin-ing throne, 



fe 



S^ 



Bias 



S 



-0—0—0- 



-JtX 



-9— 



g^S 



*?EB: 



-Set 



mmm 



The angels from their homes above Will gaze with gladness down 

■v 




And smil-ing from the crystal wall, Will bless our cor-ner - stone. 



m 



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9—0—0 

1 ' 1 *" 

A lj — I 1 — 



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That stone whose mural strength 
shall bear 

A temple broad and high, 
Where Love shall wave his banner fair 

And Truth and Friendship vie, 



To smooth the rugged path of life, 

To fright disease away, 
To guard from want, and wrong, and 

And sorrow's pain allay. [strife, 

5. 

A temple where no narrow creed 

Protects a chosen few ; 
It holds alike deserved meed 

To Christian, Turk, or Jew. 



Would that its walls could be 
wide 

As yonder ether blue, 
That Adam's race might all abide 

In Love and Friendship true ! 



Then hail the noblest work of Love ! 

Old tyrannies shall fall ; 
The vulture nestle with the dove, 

When o'er this earthly ball 



The peaceful temples of the Odp 
Shall stand like cedars tall — 

When man shall live the laws of God, 
And Love be all in all L 



308 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



ANNIVERSARY ODE. 

For Celebrations of Lodges, or Dedications of Odd-Fellows' Halls. 

Th. Elmer Smith. 




V V 

1. Joy, joy, brothers, joy ! with full hearts and glad voi-ces 
a Alto 



g^feip^i^ pgl 



To our Fa-ther, whose fa-vors have e'er been ex - tend-ed, 



#Air. ^ 



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qezpr 



3. He hath opened our hands to the calls of the poor; 



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4. Praise Him that our hearts are not cal-lous — not 



y-y- 



cold- 



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Let us join in a cho - rus of bless-ing and praise 




*=W 



F— * — a^ ^Ffl 



Whose smiles on our la -bors have lightened our toil— 



gimpiss^iigfi 



m 



He hath soft-ened our hearts bv the cry of dis • tress 
-*— r-. " r# 



y=£ 



y— «- 






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That we look not on mis - 'ry with un-moistened eye- 



O, (ron ! still may Friendship shine 

bright o'er our way, 
And Love, with sweet accent, still 

breathe in our ear ! 
May Truth e'er be nigh, our defence 

and our stay, 
And for ever we'll go forth the needy 

to oheei ! 



We'll fly to the couch of the needy— 
the dying— 

We'll bind up the wounds of our bro- 
ther in pain — 

And when his cold form in the lone 
grave is lying, 

The cry of his loved ones shall neve* 
be vain ' 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 



309 



ifeiflpgli^lll 



To the Friend in whose goodness all na - turc re - joi - ces- 







Whose power hath sustained, and whose arm hath de-fend - ed, 



The need - y and friendless have come to our door, 



That we leave not the wretch-ed to sor-row un - told- 



u 



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y—^ — 



ffippipi 




Who is ev - er dis - pen - sing his love and his grace- 



jgg^jjpgaga 



When as-sail - ants have threat-ened our Tern - pie to spoil. 



ter^iiiiaiiliia 



3 



And found us all rea - dy — all will - ing — to bless 






m 



Nor pass by un - heed -ing the wid-ow's sad cry! 



7. 
To our Father, whose favors will e'er 

be extended — 
Whose smiles on our labors will light- 
en our toil — 
Whose power will sustain, as his arm 

hath defended, 
When assailants have threatened our 
to spoil : 



To the God in whose smile the Odd 

Fellow rejoices — 
Who is ever dispensing his love and 

his grace — 
To him, brothers, again, with full 

hearts and glad voices, 
Let us join in thanksgiving, and bless- 

ing, and praise. 



310 



Tenor. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 

CONSECRATION ODE. 

May be sung at the Consecration of a Hall. 

Th. Elmer Smith. 



4=== 



3= 



^Sggg^ 



1. Un - to thee, great God, be - long Mys - tic rites and 



pi^p^H 




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sa-cred song; Low-ly bend-ing at thy shrine, We hail thy 



ife 




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2 Glorions Architect above ! 
Source of Light and Source of Love! 
Here thy Light and Love prevail ; 
Hail ! almighty Master ! hail ! 

3 While, in yonder regions bright. 
The sun by day, the moon by night, 
And the stars that gild the sky, 
Blazon forth thy praise on high, 



^vJ£_Tj ' H I ~ l i I'll From east to wes 

t J ' ff lil!_jZ^-|-g B Zf . J Lift to heaven yo 

Jf — *- [— | [ — -£j — J Join the universe 



4 Join, O earth ! and as you roll, 
From east to west, from pole to pole, 
•our grateful lays — 
rsal praise. 



I Warmed by thy benignant grace. 
Sweet Friendship linked the human 

race ; 
Pity lodged within her breast ; 
Charity became her guest. 

8 There the naked raiment found ; 
Sickness, balsam for its wound ; 
Sorrow, comfort ; hunger, bread ; 
Strangers there a welcome shed. 



7 Still to us, O God. dispense 
Thy divine benevolence ! 
Teach the tender tear to flow, 
Melting at a brother's woe ; 

8 Like Samaria's son, that we, 
Ble^t with boundless charity, 

To th" admiring world may prove 
They dwell in God who dwell in 
Love. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 



311 



THE BURIAL. 
May be sung on a funeral Occasion. 



Tenor 



T. Elmer Smith. 



HP 









1. They are moving to the church-yard, For "the soul of one has fled," 



esEHa 



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ziutifi: 



at* 



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J^i 



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atat 



is 




And the sound of solemn dirges Fol-lows close be- hind the dead. 



P^^Si^ 






They are moving to the church-yard, 
For "the soul of one has fled ;" 

And the sound of solemn dirges 
Follows close behind the dead. 



There is gloom upon each feature- 
There is sadness in each eye, 

As the lenjjthy train of brothers 
Passes slowly, sadly by. 



They are moving to the church-yard, 

In" regalia-honor clad ; 
But each step is slow and heavy, 

For each anxious heart is sad. 



4. 

Th' widow's grief, the tears of orphans, 
These have claimed their kindred 
sigh 

From that noble band, who never 
Pass a suffering brother by. 



They will stay the widow's anguish, 
They will dry the orphan's tear; 

In the darkest hour of sorrow 
Will the helping hand be near. 

6. 

And the man of after-yea.-s 
Shall bless those g'uardians of his 
youth. 
And shall link his father's memory, 
Too, with Friendship, Love, and 
Truth. 



312 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 



ODD-FELLOWS" PARTING HYMN. 

Th Elmer Smith. 



£S3^ 



± 



3=£ 



Sgsgsga 



1. Brothers ! bind the mys-tic chain; Its links keep ev - er bright 
Not a blemish — not a stain — To dim its golden light. 




D. C. Heaven to earth, and earth to heaven, And man to God a - bove. 



swmsmm 



t=P 



iir-r 



:*xi 



-<S-T 




as 



Da Capo. 



33 



3= 

-5 



Wondrous chain, to mor-tals given, Binding in the bonds of Love, 




m 



-»-.- 



sm 



b 



Da Capo. 



Who the trembling heart shall stay, 

When sinking to the dust ; 
Who shall turn the oppressor's way, 

When trampling on the just ? 
God the sinking heart shall free ; 

He shall break the oppressor's rod ; 
Still the hand of man must be 

The minister of God. 



S. 



Brothers! raise to heaven your hands, 

The links that bind the heart ! 
Consecrate anew the bands 

Of faith, before we part ; 
Then, in heavenly peace and trust, 

Part in Friendship, Truth, and Love, 
Till, released from earth and dust, 

We meet again above. 



313 



A 

MANUAL OF PRACTICE, 

FOR THE GUIDANCE OF 

PRESIDING OFFICERS, MEMBERS OF LODGES, ETC.* 



1. The presiding officer having taken the chair, and 
a quorum being present, the minutes of the previous 
meeting must be read, and in case no mistakes appear 
upon them, they must be declared approved. The 
presiding officer must preserve (perforce, if necessary) 
order and decorum. He may speak to points of order 
in preference to other members, rising from his seat 
for that purpose ; and decide questions of order, sub- 
ject to an appeal to the body by any two members, on 
which appeal no member should speak more than once, 
unless by leave of the body. He must rise to put a 
question, but may state it sitting. He must put no 
motion until it shall be seconded. 

2. Questions must be distinctly put in this form, to 
wit: "As many as are of opinion that [as the question 
may be], say i Ay;' > " and after the affirmative voice is 
expressed, "As many as are of a contrary opinion, say 

* The Rules here presented are appropriate to the govern- 
ment of all public bodies. 



314 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

'No. 1 "* If the presiding officer doubt, or if a divis- 
ion be called for, the body must divide : those in the 
affi rmative of the question must first rise from their seats, 
and afterward those in the negative. If the presiding 
officer still doubt, or a count be required, he may name 
two members, one from each side, to tell the members 
in the affirmative and negative ;f which being reported, 
the presiding officer must rise and state the decision to 
the body. No division and count by tellers will be in 
order, except upon the motion of two members. 

3. All committees must be appointed by the presi- 
ding officer, unless otherwise specially directed by 
the By-Laws, in which case they must be appointed 
by ballot; and if, upon such ballot, the number re- 
quired shall not be elected by a majority of the votes 
given, the body must proceed to a second ballot, in 
which a plurality of votes may prevail ; and in case 
a greater number than is required to compose or com- 
plete a committee shall have an equal number of votes, 
the body must proceed to a further ballot or ballots. 

4. The first-named member of any committee must 
oe the chairman ; and in his absence, or being excused 
by the body, the next-named member, and so on, as 
often as the case shall happen, unless the committee, 
by a majority of their number, elect a chairman. 

5. Any member may excuse himself from serving 
on any committee at the time of his appointment, if he 
is then a member of other committees. 

6. It is the duty of a committee to meet on the call 

* In Odd -Fellows' Lodges, so far as the expression of mem- 
bers is concerned, this form is changed, the voters being required 
to " give the usual show of an Odd-Fellow." 

f In an Odd-Fellows' Lodge the Warden acts as teller. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 315 

of any two of its members, if the chairman be absent, 
or decline to appoint such meeting. 

7. In all other cases of ballot than for committees, 
a majority of the votes given must be necessary to an 
election, and where there shall not be such a majority 
on the first ballot, the ballots must be repeated until a 
majority be obtained. And in all ballotings blanks 
must be rejected, and not taken into the count in the 
enumeration of votes, or reported by the tellers. 

8. In cases of election by the body, the presiding 
officer may vote, unless a special enactment to the con- 
trary shall have been made by the body. In cases of 
equal division of the body, the presiding officer may 
have the " casting vote." If, by law, he is debarred 
this privilege, a " tie vote" decides a question lost. 

9. The order of business should be as follows : 1. 
Calling the roll of officers. 2. Reading the minutes 
of the previous meeting. 3. Consideration of previ- 
ous proposals for or certificates of membership. 4. In- 
troduction of new members. 5. Reception of new 
proposals for or certificates of membership. 6. Con- 
sideration of unfinished business. 7. Consideration 
of business of a general description. 8. The reading 
of communications. 9. Reports of committees, by 
seniority. 10. Consideration of new business. 

10. Resolutions which require investigation, or which 
it may be necessary to delay for inquiry and future ac- 
tion, must be referred to a committee, usually of three 
members, who should report as speedily as the nature 
of the subject may permit. 

11. When a member is about to speak in debate, or 
for the purpose of making any necessary inquiry, he 
must rise from his seat, and respectfully address him- 



316 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

self to the presiding officer. He must confine himself 
to the question under debate, and avoid personality. 

12. When two or more members rise at the same 
moment, the presiding officer must decide which is 
entitled to the floor. 

I 3. No member should occupy an unreasonable time 
in debate : a member reporting a resolution under con- 
sideration from a committee, may open and close the 
debate upon it. 

14. Any member who shall first obtain the floor, 
after the member reporting a resolution from a com- 
mittee shall have concluded, may speak in opposition 
for any reasonable length of time, and others may fol- 
low, for and against the measure. When the debate is 
closed by order of the body, any member may be al- 
lowed five minutes to explain any amendment he may 
offer ; after which, any member who shall first obtain 
the floor may be allowed to speak five minutes in oppo- 
sition to it ; and there must be no further debate on the 
amendment; but the same privilege of debate may be 
allowed in favor of and against any amendment that 
maybe offered to the amendment: and neither the 
amendment nor an amendment to the amendment 
should be withdrawn by the mover thereof, unless by 
the unanimous consent of the body. 

15. If any member, in speaking or otherwise, trans- 
gress the rules of the body, the presiding officer must, 
or any member may call to order; in which case, the 
member so called to order must immediately sit down, 
unless permitted to explain ; and the body must, if ap- 
pealed to, decide on the case, but without debate ; if 
there be no appeal, the decision of the chair must be 
submitted to. If the decision be in favor of the mem- 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 317 

ber called to order, he should be at liberty to proceed ; 
if otherwise, he must not be permitted to proceed, in 
case any member object, without leave of the body; 
ind, if the case require it, he will be liable to the 
censure of the Society. 

16. If a member be called to order for words spo- 
ken in debate, the person calling him to order must 
repeat the words excepted to, and they must be taken 
down in writing; and no member can be held to answer, 
or be subject to censure for words spoken in debate, 
if any other member has spoken, or other business has 
intervened, after the words spoken, and before excep- 
tion to them shall have been taken. 

17. No member should speak more than once to the 
same question, without leave of the body, unless he be 
the mover, proposer, or introducer of the matter pend- 
ing ; in which case he may be permitted to speak in 
reply, but not until every member choosing to speak 
shall have spoken. 

18. If a question depending be lost by adjournment, 
and revived on the succeeding meeting, no member 
who shall have spoken at the preceding meeting should 
be permitted again to speak without leave. 

19. While the presiding officer is putting a question, 
or addressing the body, none should walk out of or 
across the room ; nor, in such case, or when a member 
is speaking, entertain private discourse ; nor, while a 
member is speaking, pass between him and the chair. 
Every member must remain uncovered during the ses- 
sion of the Society. 

20. No member should vote on any question in the 
event of which he is immediately and particularly in- 
terested. 



318 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

21. Every member who shall be in the room when 
the question is put must give his vote, unless the body, 
for special reason, shall excuse him. All motions to 
excuse a member from voting must be made before the 
body divides, or before a call of the yeas and nays is 
commenced ; and the question must then be taken 
without further debate. 

22. When a motion is made and seconded, it must 
be stated by the presiding officer; or, being in writing, 
it must be handed to the chair, and read aloud by the 
Secretary, before debated. 

23. Every motion should be reduced to writing, if 
the presiding officer or any member desire it. Every 
written motion should be inserted on the minutes, with 
the name of the member making it, unless it be with- 
drawn on the same day or evening on which it was 
submitted. 

24. After a motion is stated by the presiding officer, 
or read by the Secretary, it must be deemed to be in 
possession of the body, but may be withdrawn at any 
time before a decision or amendment. 

25. When a question is under debate, no motion 
can be received but to adjourn, to lie on the table, for 
the previous question, to postpone to a day certain, to 
commit or amend, to postpone indefinitely : which sev- 
eral motions must have precedence in the order in 
which they are arranged ; and no motion to postpone 
to a day certain, to commit, or to postpone indefinitely, 
being decided, can be again allowed on the same day, 
and at the same stage of the proposition. 

26. When a resolution shall be offered, or a motion 
made, to refer any subject, and different committees 
shall be proposed, the question must be taken in the 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 319 

following order : the committee of the whole ; a stand- 
ing committee ; a select committee. 

27. A. motion to adjourn, and a motion to fix the 
day *to which the Society shall adjourn, is always in 
order : these motions, and the motion to lie on the 
table, must be decided without debate. 

28. The hour at which every motion to adjourn is 
made should be entered on the minutes. 

29. The previous question must be in this form : 
"Shall the main question be now put?" It should 
only be admitted when demanded by a majority of the 
members present, and its effects must be to put an end 
to all debate, and bring the body to a direct vote upon 
a motion to commit, if such motion shall have been 
made ; and if this motion does not prevail, then upon 
amendments reported by a committee, if any — then 
upon pending amendments ; and then upon the main 
question. On a motion for the previous question, and 
prior to the seconding of the same, a call of the body 
will be in order; but after a majority shall have sec- 
onded such motion, no call can be in order prior to a 
decision of the main question. A member may, at any 
time, move the previous question. 

30. On a previous question there must be no de- 
bate. All incidental questions of order arising after 
a motion is made for the previous question, and pend- 
ing such motion, must be decided, whether on appea. 
or otherwise, without debate. 

31. When a question is postponed indefinitely, the 
same should not be acted upon again. 

32. Any member may call for the division of a 
question, which must be divided if it comprehend 
propositions in substance so distinct, that one being 

21 



320 THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 

taken away, a substantive proposition shall remain for 
the decision of the body. A motion to strike out 
and insert should be deemed indivisible ; but a motion 
to strike out being lost, precludes neither amendment 
nor a motion to strike out and insert. 

33. Motions and reports may be committed at the 
pleasure of the body. 

34. No motion or proposition on a subject different 
from that under consideration can be admitted under 
color of amendment. No resolution can, at any time, 
be amended by annexing thereto, or incorporating 
therewith, any other resolution pending before the body. 

35. When a motion has been once made, and car- 
ried in the affirmative or negative, it will be in order 
for any member of the majority to move for the recon- 
sideration thereof, on the same or the succeeding meet- 
ing only: and such motion will take precedence of all 
other questions, except a motion to adjourn. 

36. Where papers are laid before the body, or refer- 
red to a committee, every member has a right to have 
them once read at the table before he can be com- 
pelled to vote on them. [But it is a great, though 
common, error to suppose that he has a right to have 
acts, journals, accounts, or papers, on the table, read 
independently of the will of the body. The delay 
and interruption which this might be made to produce, 
evince the impossibility of the existence of such a 
right. There is, indeed, so manifest a propriety of 
permitting every member to have as much information 
as possible on every question on which he is to vote, 
that when he desires the reading, if it be seen that it 
is really for information, and not for delay, the pre- 
siding officer directs it to be read without putting a 



321 



question, if no one objects. But if objected to, a 
question must be put.] 

37. The unfinished business in which the body was 
engaged at the last preceding adjournment, must have 
the preference in regular order ; and no motion on 
any other business must be received, without special 
leave of the body, until the former is disposed of. 

38. The name of the member who presents a pe- 
tition or memorial, or who offers a resolution to the 
consideration of the body, should be inserted on the 
minutes. 

39. The yeas and nays may be called on the de- 
mand of five members. In calling, each member, as 
his name is uttered by the Secretary, should answer 
promptly. It is proper for a member opposed to a 
measure to vote in the affirmative, and vice versa, for 
the purpose of calling for a reconsideration. 

40. When the body forms itself into a committee 
of the whole, the presiding officer must leave his chair, 
and appoint a chairman from the committee. No previous 
question can be put in a committee of the whole ; nor 
can this committee adjourn as others may ; but if their 
business is unfinished, they may rise on a question, 
resume the Society, and the chairman will report that 
the committee of the whole have, according to order, 
had under their consideration such a matter, and have 
made progress therein ; but not having time to go 
through the same, have directed him to ask leave to 
sit again : whereupon a question is put on their hav- 
ing leave, and on the time when the body will again 
resolve itself into a committee. But if they have 
gone through the matter referred to them, a member 
will move that the committee rise, and that the chair- 



322 



man report their proceedings to the body ; which 
being resolved, the chairman will rise, the presiding 
officer resume the chair, and the chairman will inform 
him that the committee have gone through the busi- 
ness referred to them, and that he is ready to report. 

41. All questions must be propounded in the order 
in which they were moved ; but, in filling up blanks, 
the largest sum, and the longest time named, must be 
first put. 

42. No standing rule or order of the body can be 
rescinded or changed without previous notice being 
given of the motion therefor, nor any by-law be sus- 
pended, except by a unanimous vote of the members 
present : nor can the order of business, as established 
by the rules, be postponed or changed, except by a 
vote of at least two thirds of the members present. 
The body may at any time, by a vote of a majority 
of the members present, suspend the standing rules 
for the purpose of going into the committee of the 
whole; and also for providing for the discharge of 
the committee of the whole from the further considera- 
tion of any matter referred to it, after acting without de- 
bate on all amendments pending, and that may be offered. 

43. Questions are to be put, first on the affirmative, 
and then on the negative side. After the affirmative 
shall have been put, any member who has not spoken 
before on it may rise and speak, because it is no full 
question till the negative part be put. 

44. Resolutions involving the alteration of a Con 
stitution or By-Laws of a Society must be adopted by 
a two-thirds vote, and action on ihem should be post* 
poned at least two weeks beyond the time of their 
presentation. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 323 



CONDITION OF THE ORDER IN 1870. 

In preceding pages we have given a general History 
of the Order in America. We propose now to pre- 
sent a brief account of the origin of the Fraternity in 
the several states, together with the number of Lodges 
and of members in each. 

WASHINGTON LODGE, NUMBER ONE, 
May justly claim the honor of being the pioneer in a 
cause which has been and is of immense value in the 
United States. From this small beginning have pro- 
ceeded thousands of Lodges, and hundreds of thousands 
of members, that have accomplished, in one genera- 
tion (about fifty-one years) more real, substantial 
good to mankind thai all other similar associations. 
Washington Lodge, No. 1, was instituted on the 
26th of April, 1819, at the public-house (in Second 
street, Baltimore) called " Sign -of -the- Seven- Stars" 
of which Mr. William Ltjpton was the worthy host. 
The odd fellows who were the " head and front" of 
this proceeding were 

THOMAS W1LDEY, 

JOHN WELCH, 

JOHN DUNCAN, 

JOHN CHEATHEM, 

RICHARD RUSHWORTH. 



324 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 



PAST GRAND SIRES. 

Thomas Wildey, Baltimore, Maryland; died October 19, 1861. 

James Gettys, Georgetown, Dist. of Columbia; died Aug. 15, 1844. 

George Keyser, Baltimore, Maryland- died September 19, 18S7. 

Samuel H. Perkins, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Zenas B. Glazier, Wilmington, Delaware; died November 11, 1858 

John A Kennedy, New York City. 

Howell Hopkins, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; died July, 1858. 

Thomas Sherlock, Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Horn R. Kneass, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; died Dec. 12, 1861 

Robert H. Griffin, Savannah, Georgia; died December 14, 1855 

William W. Moore, Washington, District of Columbia. 

Wilmot G. De Saussure, Charleston, South Carolina. 

William Ellison, Boston, Massachusetts. 

George W. Race, New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Samuel Craighead, Dayton, Ohio. 

R. B. Boylson, Winnsboro, South Carolina; died Sept. 5, 1865. 

James B. Nicholson, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Isaac M. Veitch, St. Louis, Missouri. 

James P. Sanders, Yonkers, New York. 

E. D. Farnsworth, Nashville, Tennessee. 

PRESENT GRAND SIRE, 
Fred. D. Stuart, Washington, D. C. 



This was the commencement, little over fifty years 
since, cf an organization on this continent, begun by 
five men "unknown to fame" and in humble spheres 
of life, that has been an incalculable blessing to tens 
of thousands, pecuniarily and morally, and which will 
continue a double blessing beyond all human calcula- 
tion. To show the extent of the benevolence of this 
institution, which is neither political nor sectarian, we 
present in tabular form the number of Lodges and 
Encampments under the jurisdiction of the Grand 
Lodge of the United States in 1870, and the amount 
disbursed for the relief of the sick and afflicted in a 
single year. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



325 



STATISTICS OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP IN THE UNITED 
STATES. 

NUMBER OF LODGES, NUMBER OF MEMBERS, AND INITIATIONS, 
YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1870. 



STATES, &c 



OT3 

U O) 









Maryland 

Massachusetts 

New York 

Pennsylvania 

Dist. of Columbia 

Delaware 

Ohio 

Louisiana 

New Jersey. 

Kentucky 

Virginia 

Indiana 

Mississippi... 

Missouri 

Illinois 

Connecticut 

Texas 

Tennessee 

South Carolina 

Alabama 

North Carolina 

Georgia 

Maine 

New Hampshire... 

Michigan 

Wisconsin 

Yerruont 

Iowa , 

Arkansas.. 

Rhode Island. 

Florida 

Minnesota 

California , 

L. Pr. B. N. A , 

Ontario, Canada..., 

Oregon 

Nebraska.. , 

Kansas 

West Virginia. 

Nevada 

Colorado , 

New Mexico 

Montana 

Dakotah 



93 

76 

245 

601 

13 

31 

393 

30 

108 

138 

43 

320 

46 

185 

351 

25 

64 

97 

10 

29 

23 

22 

21 

29 

107 

135 

12 

163 

20 

15 

3 

20 

171 

6 

30 

37 

19 

54 

48 

18 

13 

1 

1 

1 



1155 

1659 

3960 

9849 

134 

188 

4094 

165 

1796 

1127 

295 

2972 

253 

1837 

3403 

456 

619 

594 

55 

174 

120 

279 

371 

410 

1376 

1650 

161 

1518 

169 

595 

19 

211 

1774 

111 

758 

320 

177 

515 

600 

243 

130 



13,715 

10.819 

20,732 

75,565 

2,327 

2,654 

32,986 

1,700 

11.0o9 

7,678 

2,563 

17,823 

1,482 

8,897 

16,887 

2,877 

2,152 

3,524 

701 

1,002 

731 

1,400 

2,271 

3,869 

7,207 

6,848 

551 

8,606 

790 

1,694 

133 

1,162 

13,093 

280 

2,392 

1,635 

754 

2,673 

3,460 

1,282 

554 

30 

56 

13 



199 

639 
29 
16 

244 
41 
84 
75 
40 

142 
18 
75 

121 
24 
29 
44 
18 
10 
6 
21 
30 
32 
34 
42 
7 
36 
13 
11 
1 
5 

140 

"if 
10 
1 
20 
30 
11 
4 



3867 146309 



298,637 



I860 
704 

1859 

7445 
304 
187 

2368 
133 
886 
664 
369 

1947 

58 

654 

1210 
124 
171 



20 

46 

7 

136 

159 

291 

155 

220 

18 

241 



3 
43 

1632 



24 
117 
357 
146 

15 



141 
220 
545 
803 
111 

22 
390 

81 
101 
230 

92 
202 

10 
187 
206 

11 

19 



24 
4 
1 

147 



$116,850 01 

101,941 96 

186,924 70 

630,799 40 

19,120 45 

14,817 06 

249,612 80 

24,484 35 

103,724 01 

66,249 90 

15,612 25 

177,439 06 

11,132 14 

83,181 07 

148,889 13 

15,621 27 

12,801 56 

33,H57 66 

3,553 12 

8,935 47 

3,660 67 

11,756 11 

16,324 23 

24,272 46 

41,749 20 

45,451 34 

3,726 63 

55,034 48 

840 00 

23,980 81 

230 89 

11,089 94 

298,883 74 

1,449 41 

18,611 05 

37.366 17 

9,939 57 

22,086 39 

21,555 21 

38,408 71 

10,130 53 

590 10 

1,774 05 

160 00 



25019 1 3876 2,724,419 46 j 



326 



THE ODD-FELLOWS* TEXT-BOOK. 



AMOUNTS EXPENDED FOR THE YEAR ENDING 
JUNE 30, 1870. 

TOR RELIEF OF BROTHERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND FOR 

FUNERAL EXPENSES OF DECEASED MEMBERS, AND TOTAL 

AMOUNT OF RELIEF EXTENDED IN THAT YEAR. 



STATES. 



Amonnt 

Paid for the 

Relief of 

Brothers. 



Amount 
Paid for the 
Relief of 
"Widowed 
Families. 



Amount 

Paid for 

Burying the 

Dead. 



Total 
Relief.; 



Maryland 

Massachusetts 

New York 

Pennsylvania 

District of Columbia 

Delaware.. 

Ohio 

Louisiana 

New Jersey 

Kentucky 

Virginia 

Indiana 

Mississippi 

Missouri 

Illinois 

Connecticut 

Texas 

Tennessee..... 

South Carolina 

Alabama 

North Carolina 

Georgia 

Maine 

New Hampshire 

Michigan 

Wisconsin 

Vermont... 

Iowa 

Arkansas 

Rhode Island 

Florida 

Minnesota 

California 

L. Pro. B. N. A. 

Ontario, Canada 

Oregon 

Nebraska 

Kansas 

"West Virginia 

Nevada 

Colorado 



42,058 10 

15,916 64 

38,213 77 

187,505 31 

5,244 80 

4.259 71 
48,397 34 

3,742 05 

23,709 81 

13,178 37 

5,132 76 

27,397 41 

537 70 

11,621 90 

15,967 57 

3,019 67 

1,H81 77 

2,988 98 

310 00 

1,059 27 

106 50 

2.317 00 

5,966 55 

7,161 26 

2,812 14 

3,767 67 

243 00 

4,818 72 

630 25 

2.260 93 
54 00 

731 25 
74,235 20 

144 00 
2,040 54 
3,098 75 

481 50 
2,201 95 
5,637 42 
7,717 25 

379 00 



18,063 75 

3,341 50 

11,819 39 

15,806 84 

3,152 10 

552 44 

14,932 76 

3,053 75 

2,408 44 

4,582 38 

2,461 91 

5,264 48 

809 50 

5.857 25 

4,123 92 

194 75 

317 10 

2.531 20 

545 10 

500 30 

101 53 

1,009 00 

544 00 

167 50 

963 25 

1,126 72 



1,100 65 

265 35 

440 89 

25 00 



13 



960 44 
25 00 
659 80 
231 00 
132 00 
170 00 
902 17 
365 40 



9,730 64 
3,554 57 
8,959 57 
46,532 82 
2,312 37 
1,692 67 
7,853 44 

894 00 
6,091 09 
3,579 16 
1,321 50 
5,839 11 

389 60 
3,576 60 
3,116 16 

790 00 
1,062 23 
1,853 50 

144 00 
250 00 

60 00 
628 00 
711 00 

1,530 60 
737 00 

1,925 80 
345 00 

1,440 00 

441 00 

350 00 

35 00 

145 00 
11,520 48 

50 00 
434 22 
517 00 

80 00 

678 35 

1,641 90 

542 S3 

58 00 



73,221 64 

23,039 65 

59,413 48 

250.776 84 

11,219 90 

6,509 82 

§76,314 38 

8,S2u 05 

32,520 36 

22,284 47 

10,253 40 

41,957 79 

1,614 05 

24,162 00 

23,460 65 

4,645 42 

3,673 28 

7,373 88 

1,041 00 

2,159 57 

420 13 

3,326 00 

7,221 55 

8,859 36 

4,588 39 

6,954 19 

5S8 00 

7,492 87 

1,382 60 

4,402 38 

144 00 

911 34 

100.601 79 

219 00 

3,290 26 

3.S46 75 

693 50 

3,050 30 

8,292 54 

8,623 48 

437 00 



579,043 81 



122,043 65 



132,659 21 



S59.S 



g This total includes $19,444.16 expended for the education of orphans. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS* TEXT-BOOK. 327 

RECAPITULATION. 

No. of Lodges, June 30, 1870 3 ; 867 

No. of Members, June 30, 1870.... 298 637 

No. of New Members Initiated same year, 46,309 

No. of Deaths for same year 2 561 

No. of Members Relieved same year 25 019 

No. of Widowed Families Relieved 3 876 

Amount Paid for Relief of Members $579,043 81 

Amount Paid for Relief of Widowed Families 122,043 65 

Amount Paid for Burying the Dead 132,659 21 

Amount Paid for Education of Orphans 19 444 16 

Total Amount Paid for Relief. 859,906 86 

Total Revenue for Tear, to June 30, 1870 2,724,419 46 

SUMMARY OF ENCAMPMENTS. 

No. of Encampments, June 30, 1870 1,059 

No. of Members, June 30, 1870 56,388 

No. of New Members Initiated same year 9,880 

No. of Deaths same year 447 

No. of Members Relieved same year 3,839 

No. of Families Relieved same year 195 

Amount Paid for Relief of Members $75,734 02 

Amount Paid for Burying the Dead , 12,454 76 

Amount Paid for Relief of Widowed Families 4,848 53 

Total Amount of Relief (including $138 for Education) 92,216 41 

Amount of Receipts for same year 336,239 85 

Fortunately for the cause of humanity, there are 
few who desire to be esteemed good men, who now 
oppose the spread of Odd-Fellowship ; but should the 
few that are still wedded to their prejudice examine the 
unostentatious work of the fraternity for the past year 
as exhibited above, and fail to abandon their impotent 
opposition, it may then be fairly questioned if such 
men are either philanthropists or possessed of the 
average amount of common sense or moral honesty. 
If nearly nine hundred thousand dollars paid by vol- 
untary organization, in a single year, to men prostrated 
by sickness or accident, for burying the dead, and 
educating the orphan, — apart from the moral prin- 
ciples it inculcates and requires of its members, — do 
not recommend it, we know not what should or can. 



I. O. O. F. 




At the September session of the R. W. Grand Lodge of the U. States, among 
other proceedings the following was had: 

Rep. Lamberton, of Pennsylvania, from the special committee on that subject, 
made a detailed report, which, with the accompanying resolutions, was unani- 
mously adopted: 

Resolved, 1. That a committee be appointed, to be composed of the present M. 
W. Grand Sire, the Grand Corresponding and Recording Secretary, and three 
other members of this Body, to prepare a tract, or pamphlet, presenting the 
teachings, principles, purposes, and operations of the Order, to be submitted to 
the incoming M. W. Grand Sire. 

2. That when so prepared, and approved by the M. W. Grand Sire, said tract be 
printed under the direction of this Grand Lodge, and be issued to Subordinate 
Grand Bodies, as other supplies, at a reasonable price. 

3. That these tracts be furnished by Subordinate Grand Bodies, at the original 
cost to such Grand Bodies, to their Subordinates, to be distributed to their mem- 
bers, and to be by them discreetly used, not by way of advertisement of Odd-Fel- 
lowship, but for proper and legitimate purposes. 

The Chair named P. G. Sire Veitch, G. C. and Rec. Sec'y Ridgely, Reps. Lam- 
berton, of Pa., Fitzhugh, of Va., and McKinstry, of Ala., as the committee. 
True copy from the Journal. 

Test: JAMES L. RIDGELY, C. and R. Sec'y. 



To the Most Worthy Grand Sire : 

The undersigned, special committee, appointed to prepare and submit for your 
approval a "Tract on Odd-Fellowship," herewith very respectfully and fraternally 
present their report. ISAAC M. VEITCH, 

R. A. LAMBERTON, 
EDW. H. FITZHUGH, 
ALEXANDER McKINSTRY, 
Baltimore, February 4th, 1867. JAMES L. RIDGELY. 



I. 0. 0. F. 
Office of the Grand Sire R. W. G. L. IT. S., 
Yonkers, New York, FeUy 14, 1867. 
The Committee appointed under the above proceeding of the Grand Lodge of 
the United States, having prepared and reported to me, for my approval, the 
annexed "Tract on Odd-Fellowship," I have considered the paper with much 
interest, and believing that it has been happily conceived, and that it brings to 
light just what we want — a fair exposition of the design and principles of our 
Order — I most cordially approve the same, and direct, in conformity with the 
second and third resolutions, that it be printed and distributed as therein directed. 

JAS. P. SANDERS, Grand Sire. 
328 



ODD-FELLOWSHIP— WHAT IS IT ? 



This question has doubtless presented itself to many 
who know nothing of Odd-Fellowship, except perchance 
from common report, or the vague suggestions of a mor- 
bid prejudice; hence it is often condemned as an idle 
organization, characterized, as its name would seem to 
import, rather for levity than for fidelity to the noble 
object at which it professes so earnestly and exclusively 
to aim. To correct so common an error, to remove such 
unjust prejudices, and to secure for Odd-Fellowship the 
approving sentiment it so well deserves, are the objects 
of this brief paper. In the confidence of conscious merit, 
it courts a scrutiny into its principles and practices, with 
the assurance that an enlightened public opinion will 
render an impartial judgment on the standard of excel- 
lence which pervades the one, and the practical benefits 
that flow from the other. 

ITS FAME. 

The name often confuses and perplexes intelligent 
and liberal-minded people. Why, it is asked, assume a 
designation so singular, if the object be excellent, and 
such as all good men would commend? The candid 
inquiry should be, what is the object, what the fruit of 
the tree claimed to be prolific of good? If the sugges- 
tion should be made why Freemasonry is so called, 
practical masonry forming at this day no part of its 
work, the reply would doubtless be, that, although such 
is the fact, it does not follow that the name is idle or 

329 



330 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

inappropriate, since there may be a fitness in its appli- 
cation of an entirely independent character. The name 
of Freemasonry may, and actually does, import associa- 
tions significant of and inseparable from the origin of 
the Order. Having had its beginning centuries ago 
with the artisans of the masonic craft, for their mutual 
protection and recognition, and the advancement of 
their noble art, the history of its early struggles to 
maintain its universality, and a thousand other hal- 
lowed memories connected with its progress amid the 
fall of empires and the conflicts of nations, have justly 
inspired a veneration for its name, notwithstanding its 
practical appositeness may have ceased to exist. Its 
name is affectionately cherished by its votaries, because 
it has lived and moved, and had a prolonged and useful 
being through the vast past, still lives in the teeming 
and novel present, and gives promise that it will survive 
through the distant and pregnant future. So with Odd- 
Fellowship; it also had its origin with the sons of toil, 
and of the same craft, viz., the marble masons of Lon- 
don, at the close of the last century. A wise Providence 
led them, whose daily bread depended upon their daily 
toil, by association to form a common fund, and thus to 
secure in health the means of support when prostrated 
by disease. In its experimental outset, like Freema- 
sonry, it encountered a corresponding ordeal ; it had no 
prestige to smooth its uneven and obstructed pathway; 
reliant only upon its intrinsic worth, it also has survived 
obloquy and prejudice for more than half a century, 
and has lived to attain its present meridian height. 
Can it excite wonder that these memories, which cluster 
around the name of Odd-Fellow, should secure for it a 
love and veneration that overcome and subdue the 
merely fastidious taste which would discard or shun it? 
No one can affirm that this name, though the cause of 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 331 

much prejudice, has not been, in a proportionate degree, 
an element of success. Conceived in humility, it has 
achieved and become identified with an honorable dis- 
tinction. Its good deeds have made it familiar to the 
public ear and popular mind. "Wherefore, then, the 
wisdom or the propriety of changing it? Such a change 
would not now be possible. It cannot be made. 

ITS OBJECT. 

The idea of Odd-Fellowship at the beginning, instinc- 
tive of a wise Providence, was, as has been already 
stated, mutual relief anfl protection. It was. it is true, 
a crudely digested system, if system it could be called. 
This idea, embodied into substantial form, and disci- 
plined by experience and observation, continues to be a 
vital, although by no means the predominant, element 
of its organization. It assumes, also, as a cardinal 
office, an earnest and unintermitting care for the moral 
health of its membership. Man has a moral as well as 
a physical nature, and, the wants of each being recipro- 
cal, they keep equal pace and move in parallel lines. 
There is a mutual dependence which controls both. In 
truth, there is no appetite of the human body more 
craving and inexorable, than is the insatiate hunger of 
the human heart for moral support. Infirmity of body, 
as well as of mind, is common to humanity; and there 
exists necessarily, as inseparable from this condition, a 
corresponding natural desire for sympathy. To supply 
this ever-recurring want, Odd Fellowship addresses 
itself, by a combination of efforts, in aid of the moral 
as well as of the physical man. These two aims, hap- 
pily blended, comprehend its lever power against pen- 
ury and vice, by which it labors to mitigate as well 
"the ills to which all flesh is heir," as to elevate and 
ennoble our nature. 



332 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

ITS SECRECY. 

The term secrecy denotes something hidden, or con- 
cealed from the common eye. So as vice and immoral- 
ity instinctively shun the light, and shrink from its 
gaze into the darkest recesses, mankind are accustomed 
to associate evil with every private or secret organiza- 
tion ; hence the too general condemnation of Odd-Fel- 
lowship and other kindred benevolent societies. Under 
the prompting of this ordinary prejudgment, it is often 
asked, with an air of conscious triumph, why "hide 
your light under a bushel?" J^his argument, if such it 
may be called, addresses itself indiscriminately against 
the merit of everything which the vulgar eye cannot 
discern. It is a general, or rather a universal, anathema 
against secrecy in the abstract. To follow where its 
conclusions lead would be to involve society in inextri- 
cable confusion, since secrecy, or mystery, in so far as 
human intellect can reach, is rather the rule than the 
exception. There is no relation of life, or sphere of 
nature, without its proper and inevitable secret — no 
science, no art, no philosophy, nothing beneath the sun 
which 

"The mind of man 
Can fully scan." 

Abstract secrecy, or secrecy of itself, is, therefore, no 
valid objection. There is, however, a sense in which 
secrecy is an evil; that is when it is perverted, just as 
any other principle, however good in itself, when abused, 
will exert a mischievous and pernicious influence. The 
true touchstone is the use, not the abuse, of secrecy, — to 
this test Odd-Fellowship cordially submits its work. 

But, apart from this view of the general subject, 
strange as it may sound to the uninitiated, it is never- 
theless true that Odd-Fellowship is not a secret society. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 333 

By far the larger portion of its ritual, or work, is in 
print, and is known to thousands and hundreds of thou- 
sands; all of its general legislation, comprising volumes 
of matter, is accessible to the public eye, and much of 
its ceremonial is constantly displayed to the public 
gaze. True, it possesses an unwritten and unspoken 
language, intelligible only to the membership. This 
language is, however, unimportant to the outside world, 
since it serves simply the purpose of mutual recognition 
between those to whom it is known. The members of 
the family have exclusive claims upon the supply which 
their joint labors and contributions have stored; hence 
it is fitting that safeguards should be thrown around 
these claims — how otherwise could a mutual relief soci- 
ety, in the secular sense of the word, be sustained? This 
is all the secrecy of Odd-Fellowship. 

ITS GOVERNMENT. 

All objects, the successful attainment of which is 
hoped for by the combination of masses of men, and the 
consolidation of many minds into a single will, demand 
a subordination which can only be maintained by a sys- 
tem of law and order. Odd-Fellowship, in conformity 
to this experience, has an organization peculiar to itself. 
It has a paramount fundamental law, embodied in the 
form of a written Constitution, emanating from a 
supreme federal head, styled the Grand Lodge of the 
United States. This body is representative in its char- 
acter, and exercises executive, legislative, and judicial 
powers. It assembles once a year; during its recess its 
chief officer, called the M. W. Grand Sire, chosen bien- 
nially by the Body itself, is vested with executive power 
within constitutional limits. From the Grand Lodge 
of the United States, as the great heart of the Order, 
flow, and are distributed, the ramified powers and func- 



334 

tions which are possessed and exercised by its subordi- 
nate agencies. The first, and the most important, of 
these, are the State, Territorial, Provincial or Colonial 
Grand Bodies, so called for the reason that their sphere 
of action is confined to their respective geographical 
limits. These bodies each have written constitutions 
and general laws for the government of the Order with- 
in their respective jurisdictions, enacted by themselves, 
but subject to the approval of the Grand Lodge of the 
United States. From them, also, are chosen biennially 
the representatives to the Grand Lodge of the United 
States, and by them alone are the primary assemblies 
of the Order, the Subordinate Bodies, created and 
immediately supervised, subject, however, to a ritual 
and general regulations, which are alike common to 
every Lodge of Odd-Fellows throughout the globe. 
The Subordinate Lodge is the active working theatre 
of the Order, and membership in good standing in any 
one Lodge, evidenced by proper authority, is a passport 
to admission into any other Lodge, wherever situated, 
and to aid and assistance from it when the brother who 
desires the one, or needs the other, makes known his 
character. This system of government has proved so 
admirably adapted to the great object of the institution, 
that perfect fellowship and subordination have prevailed 
ever since its formation; each body adhering to its 
appropriate sphere, and all moving in perfect harmony 
as a whole. 

RELIGIOUS ASPECT. 

Odd-Fellowship is a moral, not a religious organiza- 
tion. The religious world is divided into many sects, 
each intent upon the promotion of its peculiar plans and 
interests, and of consequence wanting in that unity of 
action so essential in every secular institution to lLo 



THE ODD-FELLOWS* TEXT-BOOK. 335 

securement of those great results which illustrate the 
triumph of benevolence and charity. This want is, in a 
good degree, met by the employment of an agency not 
amenable to such a disability, and in which men of 
many sects and creeds may cordially co-operate and 
labor, upon common ground, for the relief of human 
suffering. Such an institution is Odd-Fellowship. It 
does not array itself against the Church, nor presume 
to arrogate its functions, or to supervise its teachings. 
Its Lodges are not the council-rooms ^of enmity to reli- 
gious, civil, moral, or social organizations. Far other- 
wise: all its oracles and instructions in relation to these 
grave subjects find their warrant and authority in the 
divine law, under the inspiration of which it proclaims 
the Golden Rule as the sublimest illustration of the law 
of love. 

THE SUBORDINATE LODGE. 

Five or more members of the Order in good standing 
— by which is meant that they are clear of the books 
of the Lodge, and free from any charge affecting char- 
acter — may petition for authority to institute a Lodge. 
This petition must be addressed to the State, Territorial,' 
Provincial or Colonial Grand Lodge within the geo- 
graphical limits of which it is proposed to locate the 
Lodge; if no Grand Lodge exists in such community, 
then the application must be addressed to the Grand 
Lodge of the United States; or, if in recess, to the 
M. W. Grand Sire. A Subordinate Lodge is the ele- 
mentary organization of the Order, and, as has already 
been said, is the active field of its labors. It is there 
that the initiate receives his first impressions of Odd- 
Fellowship. There the broad foundation upon which 
the whole superstructure rests is laid bare to him, and 
the brotherhood of man is taught as the inspiration of 

22 



336 THE odd-fellows' text-book. 

Deity aud the first law of nature. The lessons and 
instructions there rehearsed within his hearing will cre- 
ate in him new impressions, if he be not wholly callous 
and insensible to the voice of humanity and to the coun- 
sels of wisdom. The business of a subordinate Lodge 
is, however, chiefly administrative; its peculiar office is 
to provide the means to meet the claims of its sick and 
distressed members; to care for them properly during 
their illness; to bury the dead; to succor the widow, 
and to educate the orphan. In the faithful discharge 
of these duties it is ever watchful that no imposition is 
practised by unworthy members, and that exact obedi- 
ence is yielded to the laws. It is also sedulous in 
requiring and enforcing a high-toned morality and an 
upright walk in life. Every Lodge enacts its own by- 
laws, which regulate the mutual obligations between it 
and its membership, and possesses exclusive control 
over its own funds within their legitimate application. 

BENEFITS. 

The by-laws of a Lodge may be regarded as a con- 
tract between the initiate and the Lodge; they define 
generally the reciprocal duties and obligations of each ; 
they prescribe the amount of the contribution levied 
upon each member to the common fund, and the 
amount of his claim upon it when sick or disabled. 
Ordinarily the tax does not exceed ten cents, nor does 
the benefit exceed four dollars per week. There are 
exceptional cases, where the Lodge exacts a larger pre- 
mium and pays a larger weekly benefit; in but few 
instances, however, does the tax exceed twenty cents, or 
the benefits six dollars per week. These by-laws also 
provide the amount to be paid in case of the death of a 
member in good standing as a funeral benefit. This 
benefit is by no means uniform ; each Lodge for itself 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 337 

prescribes the amount payable, subject not unfrequently 
to the State general law, which fixes a minimum rate. 
This benefit ranges from thirty dollars to five hundred 
or more; some Lodges impose a special tax upon each 
member of twenty-five or fifty cents, or one dollar, as a 
funeral benefit ; in which cases, when the membership is 
large, as it usually is in cities, the benefit is correspond- 
ingly liberal. This fund is paid to the widow, if any; 
if not, to the nearest of kin of the deceased. The edu- 
cation of the orphaned children is also enjoined, and is 
faithfully carried out. Although the by-laws form a 
contract between the Lodge and its members, the parties 
are each also subject in their relations to all the laws of 
the Order ; and, in the construction and enforcement of 
this contract, each must conform to all the duties and 
injunctions prescribed by the laws at large; each must 
seek redress for grievance before the appointed tribunals 
of the Order, according to the forms prescribed, and 
these must be exhausted before the courts will intervene, 
if at all; and should jurisdiction be entertained of such 
grievances by the courts, it is believed that it would 
only be exercised to constrain the tribunals of the Order 
to a faithful administration of its laws. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

The general qualification for membership is prescribed 
in the following words: "No person shall be entitled to 
admission to the Order except free white males of good 
moral character, who have arrived at the age of twenty- 
one years, and who believe in a Supreme Being, the 
creator and preserver of the universe." To this general 
qualification there are two special and important addi- 
tions — first, health of body and mind ; second, limita- 
tion as to age. The propriety and absolute necessity 
of these provisions will be apparent to every considerate 



338 the odd-fellows' text-book. 

mind, as a preventive of the great inequality and injus- 
tice which would otherwise result in the distribution of 
benefits. Every applicant for membership must there- 
fore candidly disclose his sanitary condition, for, if con- 
cealment should be practised, it will not only vitiate the 
contract between him and the Lodge, but, what is more 
serious and important to the initiate, it will subject him 
to arraignment, trial, and expulsion, and consequent 
disgrace. Fidelity on the part of the membership, not 
only to the laws and obligations of the Order, but to 
the laws of God, to the laws of the land, and to all the 
duties of citizenship, is strictly enjoined; good faith 
towards each other, and fair dealing with their fellow- 
men, are firmly yet fraternally enforced, and love for 
truth and honor, as cardinal virtues, is earnestly com- 
mended. This is Odd-Fellowship. 



A LEXICON 

OF PROPER NAMES IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS, 

WITH THEIR CORRECT PRONUNCIATION AND 

LEADING SIGNIFICATION. 



In words whose pronunciation cannot be mistaken, such as Abba, Bamah, 
Caleb, Ebed, &c, the accentuation only is marked ; but where it is difficult or doubt- 
ful, the correct pronunciation, spelled in italics, follows the word. Where words 
have various significations according to their juxtaposition in the original, the 
most obvious has been used, whether simple or metaphorical : this is deemed pre- 
ferable, as better adapted to the purpose for which the selection is intended, as 
well as to bring it within the limits of the " Text-Book." 



AARON, Ay'ron, lofty, mountain- 
ous. 
Abad'don, the destroyer. 
Abagtha, Ab-ag'-tha, father of the 

wine-press. 
Abana, Ab-ay' -na.fi, stony. 
Abarim, Ab'-a-rim, passages. 
Ab'aron, strength. 
Ab'ba, father. 
Ab'da, a servant. 
Ab'di, my servant. 
Abdiel, Ab' -de-el, a servant of God. 
Ab'don, a servant. 
Abed-nego, A-bed'-ne-go, a servant 

of light. 
A'bel, vanity, vapor, mourning. 
Abel-beth-maachah, Ay'-bel-beth- 

ma-ay'-kah, mourning of the 

house of Maachah. 
A'bel-ma'im, the mourning of the 

waters. 
Abel-meholah, Ay' -bel-me-ho' -lah, 

mourning of weakness,of sickness. 
Abel-mizraim, Ay' -bel-miz-ra' -im , 

the mourning of the Egyptians. 
A'bel-shit'tim, mourning of the 

thorns. 
A'bez, an egg, muddy. 
Abi, A' -be, my father. 
Abiah, Ab-i'-ah, the Lord is my 

father. 
Abi'ahil, the father of light or 

praise. 



Abi-albon, Ab-e-al'-bon, intelligent 
father. 

Ab'iam, the father of the sea. 

Abi-as'aph, a gathering or consum- 
ing father. 

Abiathar, Ab-i' -a-tfiar, excellent 
father. 

A'bib, green fruits, ears of corn. 

Abi'dah, father of knowledge. 

Abi'dan, father of judgment. 

Abiel, Ab'-e-el, God my father. 

Abiezer, Ab-e-e'-zer, father of help. 

Abi-ezrite, Ab-e-ez'-rite. 

Abigail, Ab J -e-gal, the joy of the 
father. 

Abi-gib'eon, the father of the cup, 
father of Gibeon. 

Abihail, Ab-e-hay'-il, the father of 
strength. 

Abi'hu, he is my father,or his father. 

Abi'hud, the father of praise or con- 
fession. 

Abijah, Ab-i'-jah, the will of the 
Lord. 

Abi'jam, father of the sea. 

Abilene, Ab-e-le'-ne, the father of 
the apartment, or of mourning. 

Abimael, Ab-be-may'-el, a father 
sent from God, my father comes 
from God. 

Abimelech, Ab-im'-me-lefc, father 
of the king. 

Abinadab, Ab-in'-na-dab, father of 
339 



340 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



willingness, my father is a 
prince. 
Abinoam, Ab-in' -no-am, father of 
beauty or comeliness, my father 
is beautiful. 
Abiram, Ab-i'-ram, a high father, 

father of fraud. 
Abishag, Ab'-be-shag, ignorance of 

the father. 
Abishai, Ab-bish'-a-i, the present 
of my father, the father of the 
sacrifice. 
Abishalom, Ab-bish'-a-lom, the fa- 
ther of peace, the recompense of 
the father. 
Abishua, Ab-bish'-u-a, father of sal- 
vation or of magnificence. 
Abishur, Ab'-be-shur, the father of 

the wall or of uprightness. 
Abital, Ab'-be-tal, the father of the 

dew. 
Abitub, Ab'-be-tub, father of good- 
ness. 
Abiud, Ab'-be-ud, father of praise. 
Ab'ner, father of light, the son of 

the father. 
A'braham, the father of a great 

multitude. 
A'bram, a high father, the father 

of elevation. 
Ab'salom, father of peace. 
Acc&d, Ak'-kad, a pitcher, a sparkle. 
Accho, Ak'-ko, a close, pressed to- 
gether. 
Aceldama, A-kel' -da-mah, the field 

of blood. 
Achaia, A-lcay'-yah, grief, trouble. 
Achaicus, A-kay'-e-kus, a native of 

Achaia. 
Achan, Achar, A'-kan, A'-kar, he 

that troubles or bruises. 
Ach^or, Ak'-bor, a rot, bruising. 
Achim, A' -kirn, preparing, confirm- 
ing, revenging. 
Achir, A'-ker, the brother's light. 
Achish, A'-kish, thus it is, how is 

this? 
Achmetha, Ak'-me-thah. 
Achor, A'-kor, trouble. 
Achsah, Ak'-sah, adorned, bursting 

of the veil. 
Achshaph, A k'-shaph,Tpo'i$on,tr\c'ks, 
one that breaks, the brim of any 
thing. 
Aehzib, Ak'-zib, liar, one that runs. 



Adadah, Ad'-a-dah, the testimony 

of the assembly. 
Adah, Ay'-dah, an assembly. 
Adaiah, Ad'-a-yah, the witness of 

the Lord. 
Adaliah, Ad-a-ly'-ah, one that 
draws water, poverty, cloud, 
death. 
Ad'am, earthy, taken out of red 

earth. 
Adamab, Ad' -da-mah, red earth. 
Adami, Ad'-da-my, my man, red, 

earthy. 
A'dar, high, eminent. 
Adbeel, Ad'-be-el, a vapor, a cloud 

of God, a vexer of God. 
Ad'di, my witness, adorned, pass- 
age, prey. 
Ad'don, basis, foundation, the Lord. 
Adiel, Ad'-i-el, the witness of the 

Lord. 
Adin, Ad' -din, adorned, dainty. 
Adithaim, Ad-e-thay'-im, assem- 
blies, testimonies. 
Adlai, Ad-lay'-i, my witness, my 

ornament. 
Ad'mah, earthy, red earth, 
Admatha, Ad'-ma-thah, a cloud of 

death, a mortal vapor 
Ad'nah, rest, testimony, eternal. 
Adona'i, my Lord. 
Adoni-bezek, Ad' -o-ne-bee' -zek, the 
lightning of the Lord, the Lord 
of Bezek. 
Adonijah, Ad-o-ny'-jah, the Lord is 

my master. 
Adonikam, Ad-o-ny'-kam, the Lord 
is raised, my Lord hath raised 
me. 
Adoniram, Ad-o-ny'-ram, my Lord 
is most high, the Lord of might 
and elevation. 
Adoni-zedek, Ad'-o-ne-zee'-dtk, jus- 
tice of the Lord, 
Adoraim, Ad'-o-ray'-im, strength or 

power of the sea. 
Adoram, Ad'-o-ram, their beauty, 

their power, their praise. 
Adrammelech, Ad-ram' -me-lek, the 

cloak or glory of the king. 
Adramyttium. Ad-ra-mit' -te-um, the 

court of death. 
Adria,^4j/'-c/re-a7;,thenameof a city, 
which gives name to tne Adriatic 
sea, now the gulf of Venice. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



341 



A'dric], the flock of God. 

Adullani, Ad-ul'-lam, their testi- 
mony, their prey, their ornament. 

Auuin'niiin, earthly or bloody 
thin-s. 

JEne'as. praised. 

Agabus, Ag'-ga-bus f a locust, the 
feast of the father. 

Agag, Ay'-gag, roof, floor. 

A'gagite, of the race of Agag. 

Aga'pa?, love-feasts. 

Agar. See Hagar. 

Agi'e, a valley, deepness. 

Agrippa, A-grip'-pah, one who at 
his birth causes great pain. 

A'gur, a stranger, gathering. 

A'hab, the brother of the father. 

Aha' rah, a sweet brother, an odori- 
ferous meadow. 

Ahar'hel, another host, another sor- 
row, the sleep of the brother. 

Ahasba'i, trusting in me, brother 
compassing. In Syriae, a brother 
of age. 

Ahasuerus, A-has-u-e'-rus, prince, 
chief. 

Ahava, A-hay'-vah, essence, gene- 
ration. 

A'haz, one that takes and possesses. 

Ahaziah, A-ha-zy'-ah, possession, 
vision of the Lord. 

A'hi, my brother, my brethren. 

Ahiah, A-hy'-ah, brother of the 
Lord. 

Ahiam, A-hy'-am. brother of the 
mother, brother of the nation. 

Ahian, A-hy'-an, brother of wine. 

Ahie'zer, brother of assistance. 

Ahi'hud, a brother of vanity, a bro- 
ther of praise. 

Ahijah, the same as Ahiah. 

Ahikam, A-hy'-kam, a brother that 
raises up. 

Ahi'lud, a brother born. 

Ahim'aaz, brother of the council. 

Ahi'mm, a brother prepared. 

Ahimelech, A-him'-me-lek, my bro- 
ther is a king. 

Ahimoth, A'-he-moth, brother of 
death. 

Ahin'adab, a willing brother, a 
brother of a vow, brother of the 
P'ince. 

Ahinoam, A-Mn' -no-am, the beauty 
and comeliness of the brother. 



Ahi'o, his brother, his brethren. 
Ahio. See Achio. 
Ahira, A-hy'-rah, brother of ini- 
quity or of the shepherd. 
Ahiram, A-hy'-ram, brother of craft, 

protection. 
Aliisauiach, A-his' -sa-mak, brother 

of strength or of support. 
Ahishabar, A-his' -sa- bar, brother 

of the morning or dew, brother 

of blackness. 
Ahi'shar, brother of a prince. 
Ahithophel, A-hit'-to-fel, brother of 

ruin or folly. 
Ahi'tub, brother of goodness. 
Ah'lab, which is of milk, is fat. 
Ah'lai, beseeching, sorrowing, be- 
ginning, brother to me. 
Aho'ah, a thistle, a thorn, a fish- 
hook, brotherhood. 
Aho'hi, a living brother, my thistle 

or thorn. 
Aho'lah, his tabernacle, his tent. 
Aholiab, A-ho'-le-ab, the tent or 

tabernacle of the father. 
Ah.o\\hah, A-ho' -le-bah , my tent and 

my tabernacle in her. 
Aholibamah, A-ho' -le-bay-mah, my 

tabernacle is exalted. 
Ahran. See Charan. 
Ahu'mah, a meadow of waters, 

brother of waters. 
Ahu'zam, their taking possession, 

vision. 
Ahuz'zah,po?session, apprehension, 

vision. 
Ai, or Hai, Ay'i, mass, heap. 
Ai'ah, a raven, a vulture, alas, 

where is it? 
Ai'ath, a hour. 
A'in, an eye, a fountain. 
Aioth, the same as Ai. 
Ajalon, Ad' -ja-lon,Si chain, strength, 

a stag. 
Ak'kub, the print of the foot where 

any creature hath gone, supplant- 

ation. 
Alammelech, Al-am'-me-lek, God is 

king. 
Al'cimus, strong, of strength. 
Al'emeth, a hiding, youth, worlds, 

upon the dead. 
Al'emis, strength. 
Alexan'der, one that assists men, 

one that turns away evil. 



342 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



Alexandria, Al-ex-an'-dre-a, the 

city of Alexander. 
Alleluia, Al-le-lu' -yah, praise the 

Lord. 
A'lian, high. 
Al'lon, an oak. 
Allon-bachuth, Al'-fon-bak'-kirfh, 

the oak of weeping. 
Alnio'dad, measure of God. 
Al'mon, hidden. 
Al'uion-dib'lathaim, a hiding, a 

heap of fig-trees. 
Alpha, Al'-fah, the first letter of the 

Greek alphabet, marked A. 
Alpheus, Al-fe'-us, a thousand, 

chief. 
A'mad, a people of witness., people 

everlasting. 
Am'alek, a people that licks up or 

uses ill. 
Anial'ekites, people descended from 

Amalek. 
A'mam, mother, fear of them, people. 
Amana, Am-ay f -nah, integrity and 

truth. 
Amariah, Am-a-ry'-ah, the Lord 

says, the excellency of the 

Lord. 
Amasa, Am-ay'-sah, a forgiving 

people, the burden of the people. 
Amaziah, Am-a-zy''-ah, the strength 

of the Lord. 
A'mi. See Amara. 
Am'mah, my people. 
Amrni, the same as Ainmab. 
Amuiihud, Am'-me-hud, people of 

praise. 
Ainminadab, Am-min' -na-dab, 

prince of the people, a people 

that vows. 
Ammishaddai, Am r -mesh ad' -day-i, 

the people of the Almighty. 
Am'moE, the son of my people. 
Am'monites, a people descended 

from Benammi, son of Lot. 
Am'uon, faithful and true, foster- 
father. 
Amon, Ay'mon, faithful, true. 
Am'orite, bitter, a rebel, a babbler. 
Amos, Ay'-mos, loading, weighty. 
Amoz, Ay'-moz, strong, robust. 
Ainphipolis, Am-fip'-po-lis, a city 

encompassed by the sea. 
Amplias, Am'-ple-as, large, exten- 



Am'ram, an exalted people, hand 
fuls of corn. 

Amraphel, Am'-ra-fel, one that 
speaks of hidden things or of 
ruin. 

Am'zi, strong, mighty. 

A'nab, a grape, a knot. 

Anah, Ay'-nah, one who answers or 
sings, poor, afflicted. 

Anak, Ay'-nah, a collar, an orna- 
ment. 

Anakims, An'-ak-ima. See Anak. 

Anammelecb, An-am'-me-lek, an- 
swer, song of the king. 

A'nan, a cloud, a prophecy. 

Ananias, An-a-vy'-as, the eloud of 
the Lord. 

Anathoth, An'-a-thoth, answer, 
affliction. 

Andrew, An'-drue, a stout and 
strong man. 

Andronicus, An-dron'-ne-kus, aman 
excelling others. 

Aner, Ay'-ner, answer, strong, af- 
fliction. 

An'na, gracious, merciful. 

An'nas-, one that answers, that 
afflicts. 

An'tichrist. an adversary to Christ. 

Antioeh, An'-te-ok, instead of a 
chariot. 

An'tipas, against all. 

Antipatris, An-te-p-ay'-tris, against 
his own father. 

Apelles, A-jjel'-lees, to exclude, to 
separate. 

Aphek, Ay'-fek, a stream, vigor. 

Apollonia, Ap-po-lo' -ne-ah, perdi- 
tion. 

Apol'los, one that destroys and lays 
waste. 

Apoli'yon, A-poV-le-on, one that ex- 
terminates or destroys. 

Apphia, Af'-e-ah, that is fruitful. 

Appii-foruiu, A p'-pe-i -/<>'- nun, a 
town so called from Appius Clau- 
dius, whose statue w r as erected 
there. 

Aquila, Ale' -we-lah, an eagle. 

Ar, awakening, uncovering. 

Ara'bia, evening, a place wild and 
desert; mixtures, because this 
country was inhabited by different 
kinds of people. 

Ara'bian, an inhabitant of Arabia. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



313 



A'rad, a wild ass, a dragon. 
A'ram, magnificence, one that de- 
ceives. 
Ararat, Ar'-ra-rat, the curse of 
trembling. 

Araunah, A-raw'-nah, ark, song, 
curse. 

Ar'ba, the city of the four. 

Archelaus, Ar-ke'-lay-tm, the prince 
of the people. 

Archippns, Ar-lcijy'-pus, governor 
of horses. 

Arcturus, Ark-tew'-rus, a gathering 
together. 

Ard, one that commands. 

Areli, Ar-e'-lie, the light or vision 
of God. 

Areopagite, A-re-op'-a-gyte, belong- 
ing to the council called Areo- 
pagus. 

Areopagus, A-re-op'-a-gus, the hill 
of Mars : a place where the magis- 
trates of Athens held their su- 
preme council. 

Aretas, A-re'-tas, one that is agree- 
able or virtuous. 

Ar'gob, a turf of earth, curse of the 
well. 

Ariel, Ay f -re-el, the altar, light, 
lion of God. 

Arimathea, Ar-re-ma-the'-ah, a lion 
dead to the Lord. Ramath,orRa- 
mah, a city where Samuel dwelt. 

Arioch, Ar'-e-uk, long, your drunk- 
enness, your lion. 

Aristarchus, A-ris-tar'-kus, the best 
prince. 

Aristobulu*, A-ris-tob'-bu-hi8 r 2i good 
counsellor. 

Armageddon, Ar-ma-ged' -don, the 
mountain of Megiddo, or the 
gospel, of fruits. 

Armenia, Ar-me'-ve-ah, a province 
which is supposed to take its name 
from Aram. 

Ar'non, rejoicing, their ark. 

Ar'oer, heath, tamarisk, the naked- 
ness of the skin or of the enemy. 

Ar'pad, the light of redemption, 
that lies down. 

Arphaxad, Ar-f ales' -ad, one that 
heals or releases. 

Arlaxerxes, Ar-taks-erks'-es, in 
Hebrew, Artachsaata, the silence 
of light. 



Artemas, Ar'-te-mas, whole, sound, 
Asa, Ay'-sah, physician, cure. 

Asahel, As'-a-el, the work or crea- 
ture of God. 

Asaiah, As'-a-i-ah, the Lord hath 
wrought. 

Asaph, Ay'-saf, one that assembles 
together. 

Asenath, As'-e-nath, peril, misfor- 
tune. 

A'shan, vapor, smoke. 

Ash'dod, inclination, a wild open 
place. 

Ash'er, blessedness. 

Ash'iel, the work of God. 

Ashima, Ash'-e-mak, crime, posi- 
tion, fire of the sea. 

Ashkenaz, Ash' -ke-naz, a fire that 
distils or spreads. 

Ashtaroth, Ash' -ta-roth, rocks, 
riches. 

Ash'ur, one that is happy. 

Ash'vath, making vestments. 

Asia, Ay'-she-a, muddy, boggy. 

As'kelon, weight, balance, fire of 
infamy. 

Asnap'per, unhappiness, fruitless. 

As'sir, prisoner, fettered. 

As'sos, approaching. 

Assyria, Aa-sir'-re-a. 

Assyrian, As-sir'-re-an. 

Asyncritus, A-sin'-kre-tus, incom- 
parable. 

A 'tad, a thorn. 

Ata'roth, crowns, counsel of making 
full. 

Athaliah, Aih-a-ly' -ah, the time of 
the Lord. 

Athenians, Ath-ee'-ne-ans, inhabit- 
ants of Athens. 

Ath'ens, so called from Athene, 
Minerva. 

Attalia, At-ta-ly' -ah, that increases 
or sends. 

Augus'tus, increased, majestic, 

A'ven, iniquity, force, riches. 

Azariah, Az-a-ry'-ah, assistance, he 
that hears the Lord. 

Azekah, Az-ee'-kah, strength of 
walls. 

Az'gad, a strong army, a gang of 
robbers. 

Aznoth-tabor,Az' -noth-tay' -bor, the 
ears of Tabor, of choice, purity^ 
contrition. 



8-14 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



Azo'tus, the same as Ashdod. 
A'zur, he that assists, is assisted. 

Baal, Bay'-al, he that rules and 
subdues. 

Baalah, Bay'-al-ah, her idol, a 
spouse; the name of a city. 

Baal-berith, Bay'-al-be'-rith, idol 
of the covenant. 

Baal-gad, Bay'-al-gad' , the idol of 
the troop, the Lord is master of 
the troop. 

Baal-hamon, Bay' -al-hay' -mon, one 
that rules a multitude, a populous 
place. 

Baal-hazer, Bay' -al-liay' -zer, lord 
of court, a possessor of grace. 

Ba'al-her'mon, the possessor, or de- 
struction of a thing devoted to 
God. 

Ba'ali, my idol, or master. 

Ba'alim, idols, masters. 

Ba'alis, a rejoicing, proud lord. 

Baal-meon, Bay' -al-me' -on,the idol, 
the master of the house. 

Baal-peor, Bay'-al-pe'-or, master of 
the opening. 

Baal-perazim, Bay' -al-per' -a-zim , 
master, or god of divisions. 

Baal-shalisha. Bay' -al-shal' -e-shah , 
the third idol, the third husband. 

Baal-tamar, Bay' -al-tay' -mar, mas- 
ter of the palm-tree. 

Baal-zebub, Bay' -al-ze' -bub, the 
master of flies. 

Baal-zephon, Bay' -al-ze' -f on, the 
idol of the north, secret. 

Baanah, Bay'-a-nah, in the answer, 
in affliction. 

Baa'rah, a flame, purging. 

Baashah, Ba-ay'-shah, in the work 
he that demands, who lays waste. 

Ba'bel, confusion, mixture. 

Babylon, Bab'-he-lon. See Babel. 

Babylonians, Bab-be-lo' -ne-ans. 

Babjdonish, Bab-be-lo' -nish. 

Baca, Bay'-kah, mulberry-tree. 

Bahurim, Ba-hew' -rim, choice, war- 
like. 

Ba'jith, a house. 

Balaam, Bay'-lam, the old age or 
ancient of the people, without 
the people. 

Bala'dan, one without rule or judg- 
ment, aneient in judgment. 



Ba'lak, who lays waste, who laps, 

Ba'mah, an eminence. 

Barabbas, Bar-ab'-bas, son of the 

father, or of confusion. 
Barachel, Bar' -a-kel, who blesses 

God. 
Barachias, Bar-a-ky'-as, the same 

as Barachel. 
Ba'rak, thunder, in vain. 
Bar-je'sus, son of Jesus. 
Bar-jo'na, son of Jona or of a dove. 
Bar'nabas, the son of the prophet 

or of consolation. 
Bar'sabas, son of return, of rest, 

of swearing. 
Bartholomew, a son that suspends 

the waters. 
Bartimeus, Bar-te-me'-us, the son 

of Timeus or of the honorable. 
Baruch, Bay'-ruk, who is blessed, 

who bends the knee. 
Barzillai, Bar-zil'-la-i, made of 

iron, son of contempt. 
Ba'shan, in the tooth, in the change 

or sleep. 
Bashematb.,j5tts7j'-e-»m£ft,perfumed, 

in desolation. 
Ba,th-sheba, Bath-she' -bah,or Bath' - 

she-bah, the seventh daughter, the 

daughter of an oath. 
Bathshu'a, the daughter of salva- 
tion. 
Be'dad, alone, in friendship. 
Be'dan, only, in the judgment. 
Beel-zebub, Be-eV -ze-bub. See 

Baal-zebub. 
Beer, Be'-er, a well, the name of a 

city. 
Beer-lahai-roi, Be'-er-la-hay'-e-roy, 

the well of him that liveth and 

seeth me. 
Beer-sheba, Be'-er-she'-bah, the 

well of an oath, of satiety, the 

seventh well. 
Be'kak, half a shekel. 
Bel, ancient, nothing, subject to 

change. 
Belial, Bee'-le-al, wicked, the devil. 
Belshaz'zar, master of the treasure. 
Belteshaz'zar, who lays up treasures 

in secret, secretly endures pain 

and pressure. 
Benaiah, Ben-ay' -yah, son of the 

Lord, the Lord's building. 
Ben-am'mi, the son of my people. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



345 



Benha'dad, the son of Hadad, of 

noise. 
Ben'jamin, the son of the right 

hand. 
Ben'jamite, a descendant of Ben- 
jamin. 
Benoni, Ben-o'-ny, son of my grief. 
Be'or, burning, mad, beast. 
Berachah, Ber'-a-kah, blessing. 
Beraaa, Be-ree'-ah, heavy. 
Be'ritb, covenant. 
Bernice, Ber-ny'se, one that brings 

victory. 
Be'sor, glad news, incarnation. 
Be'tah, confidence. 
Bethabara, Beth-ab'-ba-rah, the 

house of passage, of anger. 
Beth'any, the house of song, of af- 
fliction, of obedience, the grace 

of tbe Lord. 
Beth-a'ven, the house of vanity, of 

strength. 
Beth-birei, Beth-bir'-re-i, the house 

of my Creator. 
Beth '-car, the house of the lamb of 

knowledge. 
Beth-da'gon, the house of corn, of 

tbe fish, of the god Dagon. 
'Beth.-&\\AiiihdL\XQ,Beth~dib-la-thay'- 

im, the house of dry figs. 
Beth'el, the house of God. 
Bethelite, Beth' -el-ite, an inhabitant. 

of Bethel. 
Be'ther, division, in the turtle, in 

the trial. 
Bethes'da, the house of effusion, of 

pity. 
Beth-e'zel, a neighbor's house. 
Beth-gamul, Beth' -gay-mul, the 

house of recompense, of the 

weaned, of the camel. 
Beth-haccerem, Beth-hak'-ke-rem, 

the house of the vineyard. 
Beth-ho'ron, the house of wrath, of 

the hole, of liberty. 
Beth-jesbAmoth, the house of deso- 
lation. 
Beth'-lehem, the house of bread, of 

war. 
Beth-lehem-ephratah,Z?e^'-?e-Aem- 

eff-iay'-tah, or eff'-ra-tah. 
Beth-iehem-ju'dah. 
Beth'-lehemite, an inhabitant of 

Bethlehem. 
Beth-pe'or, the house of gaping. 



Bethphage, Beth'-fa-je, the house 
of the mouth, of early figs. 

Bethsaida, Bethsxy'-dah, tbe house 
of fruits of hunters. 

Beth'-shan, the house of the tooth, 
of change, of sleep. 

Beth-she'mesh, the house of the sun. 

Bethuel, Btth-ew'-el, filiation of 
God. 

Beulah, Bew'-lah, married. 

Bezaleel,-5ez-a-£ee'-e/,in the shadow 
of God. 

Be'zek, lightning, in chains. 

Bichri, Bick'-ry, first-born, in the 
ram. 

Bid'kar, in compunction, in sharp 
pain. 

Big'than, giving meat. 

Bil'dad, old friendship. 

Bil'hah, who is old, troubled, con- 
fused. 

Bir'sha, in evil, son that beholds. 

Bithiah, Be-thy'-ah, daughter of the 
Lord. 

Bith'ron, division, in his examina- 
tion, daughter of the song, of 
anger, of liberty. 

Bithynia, Be-thi>i'-e-ah, violent pre- 
cipitation. 

Blas'tus, one that sprouts and brings 
forth. 

Boanerges, Bo-a-ner'-jes, the sons 
of thunder; James and John, the 
sons of Zebedee. 

Bo'az, or Bo'oz, in strength, in the 
goat. 

Bochim, Bo'-ki?n,the place of weep- 
ing, of mulberry-trees. 

Bo'zez. mud, in the flower. 

Boz'rah, in tribulation or distress. 

Bui, changeable, perishing. 

Buz, despised, plundered. 

Buzi, Beio'-zye. my contempt. 

Buz'ite, a descendant from Buz. 

Cabul, Kay'-bul, displeasing, dirt. 
Caesar, See'-sar, one cut out. 
Caesarea, Ses-a-ree'-a, a bush of 

hair. 
Caiaphas, Kay'-a-fas, a searcher. 
Cain, Kay'-n, possession. 
Cainan, Kay' -nan, possessor, one 

that laments. 
Ca'lah, good opportunity, as the 

verdure. 



346 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



Ca'leb, a dog, a crow, a basket. 

Caleb-epbratah, Kay' -leb-ef-ray' - 
tah, or ef'-ra-tah, a place so called 
by a conjunction of tbe names of 
Caleb and his wife Ephratah. 

Oalneh, Kal'-nay, our consumma- 
tion, all we, as murmuring. 

Cal'no, our consummation, quite 
bimself. 

Cal'vary, the place of a skull. 

Ca'mon, his resurrection. 

Ca'na, zeal, possession, nest, cane. 

Canaan, Kay' -nan, a merchant, a 
trader. The son of Ham, who 
gave name to the land of Canaan. 

Canaanite, Kay' -nan-ite, an inhab- 
itant of Canaan. 

Csbnd&ce, Kan-day' -se,who possesses 
contrition. 

Capernaum, Za-/>er'-«a-?<???, the field 
of repentance, city of comfort. 

Caphtor, Kaf'-tor, a sphere, a 
buckle, a hand, doves, those that 
seek and inquire. 

Cappadocia, Kap-pa-do' -she-a, in 
Hebrew, Caphtor. 

Carcas, Kar'-kas, the covering of a 
lamb. 

Carchemish, Kar' ke-mish, a lamb, 
as taken away. 

Car'mel, a circumcised lamb, har- 
vest, vineyard ol God. 

Carmelite. Kar' -me lyte, an inhabit- 
ant of Mount Carinel. 

Car'mi, my vineyard, the knowledge 
of the lamb of the waters. 

Car'pus, fruit, fruitful. 

Casiphia, Ka-se-fy'-a, money, covet- 
ousness. 

Cas'tor, a beaver. 

Cedron, See'-dron, wr Kee'-dron, 
black, sad. 

Cenchrea, Senk'-re-a, millet, small 
pulse. 

Cephas, See' -fas, or Kee'-fas, a rock 
or stone. 

Ce'sar. See Ceesar. 

Cesarea, Ses-a-ree'-a. See Cajsa- 
rea. 

Chalcol, Kal'-kol, who nourishes, 
sustains the whole. 

Chaldea, Kal-dee'-a, as demons, as 
robbers. 

Chaldean, Kal-dee' -an, an inhabit- 
ant of Chaldea. 



Chalrlees, Kal-deez', the same at 
Chaldeans. 

Charran, Kar'-ran, a singing, the 
heat of wrath. 

Chebar, Ke'-bar, strength or 
power. 

Chedorlaomer, Ke'-dor-la-o'-mer, as 
a generation of servitude. 

Chemarims, Kem'-a-rims, the name 
of Baal's priests. 

Chemosb, Ke'-mosh, as handling, as 
taking away. 

Chenania, Ke-na-ny'-ah, prepara- 
tion, rectitude of the Lord. 

Cherethims, Ker'-eth-ims, who cuts, 
tears away. 

CherethiteSjiTer'-e^-tVes. See Cher- 
ethims. 

Cherith, Ke'-rith, cutting, piercing, 
slaying. 

Chesed, Ke'-sed, as a devil, a de- 
stroyer. 

Chileab, Kil'-le-ab, totality or per- 
fection of the father. 

Chilion, Kil'-le-on, finished, com- 
plete. 

Chil mad, Kil'-mad, as teaching or 
learning. 

China ham, Kim' -ham, as they, like 
to them. 

Chios, Ky'-os, open, opening. 

Chisleu, Kis'-lu, rashness, confi- 
dence. 

Chittim, Chit'-tim, those that bruise, 
gold, staining. 

Chiun, Ky'-un, an Egyptian god, 
whom some think to be Saturn. 

Chloe, Klo'-e, green herb. 

Chorazin, Ko-ray' -zin, the secret, 
here is a mystery. 

Chushan-rishathaim, Keio'-than- 
rish-a-thay'-im, Ethiopian, black- 
ness of iniquities. 

Chuza, Keio'-zah, the prophet, Ethi- 
opian. 

Cilicia, Sil-ish'-e-a, which rolls or 
overturns. 

Clauda, Klaw'-dah, a broken voice, 
a lamentable voice. 

Claudia, Klaw'-de-ah, lame. 

Clem'ent, mild, good, merciful. 

Cleopbas, Klee'-o-fas, the whole 
glory. 

Colosse, Ko-los' -see, punishment, 
correction. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



347 



Coniah, Ko-ny'-ah, the strength or 
stability of the Lord. 

Cor'inth, which is satisfied, beauty. 

Corin'thians, inhabitants of Corinth. 

Corne'lius, a horn. 

Coz'bi, a liar, as sliding away. 

Cre.-cens, Kres'-sens, growing, in- 
creasing. 

Crete, Kree't, carnal, fleshly. 

Cretes. Kree'U, inhabitants of Crete. 

Cretians, Kree'-she-ans, the same as 
Cretes. 

Crispus, Kris'-pus, curled. 

Cush, Ethiopian, black. 

Cush'an. Ethiopia, blackness, heat. 

Cush'i, the same as Cushan. 

Cyprus, Sy'-prus, fair, fairness. 

Cyrene, Sy-re'-ne, a wall, coldness, 
meeting, a floor. 

Cyreneans, Sy-re'-ne-ans, people of 
Cyrene. 

CyreniuSjiS^-re'-ne-ws, who governs. 

Cyrus, Sy'-rus, as miserable, as 
heir, the belly. 

Dabbasheth, Dab' -ba-sheth, flowing 

with honey, causing infamy. 
Daberath,A/6'-6e-ra<A,word, thing, 

bee, submissive. 
Da'gon, corn, a fish. 
Dalmanutha, Dal-ma-new' -thah, a 

bucket, leanness, branch. 
Dalmatia, Dal-may'-she-a, deceitful 

lamps, vain brightness. 
Damaris, Dam'-a-ris, a little wo- 
man. 
Damas'cus, a sack full of blood, a 

similitude of burning. 
Dan, judgment, he that judges. 
Dan'iel, judgment of God. 
Da'ra, generation, house of the 

shepherd, companion, race of 

wickedness. 
Darius, Da-ry'-us, he that inquires 

and informs himself. 
Da'than, laws, rites. 
Da'vid, beloved, dear. 
Deb'orah, a word, a bee. 
Decapolis, De-hap' -po-lis, a country 

containing ten cities. 
De'dan, their breasts, friendship, 

uncle. 
Dedanim, Ded' -an-im, descendants 

of Dedan. 
Del'ilah, poor, head of hair, bucket. 



De'mas, popular. 

Demetrius, De-me'-tre-us, belonging 
to Ceres, to corn. 

Der'be, a sting. 

Deuel, De-ew'-el, the knowledge of 
God. 

Diana, Dy-ay'-nah, luminous, per- 
fect. 

Di'bon, understanding, abundance 
of building. 

Di'bon-gad. abundance of sons, 
happy and powerful. 

Didymus, Did'-e-mus, a twin. 

Di'mon, where it is red. 

Di'nah, judgment, who judges. 

Din'habah, she gives judgment. 

Dionysius, Dy-o-nish'-e-us, divinely 
touched. 

Diotrephes,£>i-o£'-re-/ees,nourished 
by Jupiter. 

Do'eg, who acts with uneasiness, a 
fisherman. 

Dor, generation, habitation. 

Dor'cas, the female of a roe-buck. 

Do'than, the law, custom. 

Drusilla, Drew-ail' -lah, watered by 
the dew. 

Dumah, Dew'-mah, silence, resem- 
blance. 

Dura, Dew'-rah, generation, habi- 
tation. 

Easter, Ee's-ter, the passover, a feast 

of the Jews. 
E'bal, a heap, collection of old 

age. 
E'bed, a servant or laborer. 
Ebed-melech, Ee' -bed-me' -lek, the 

king's servant. 
Eben-ezer, Eb-en-ee'-zer, the stone 

of help. 
E'ber, one that passes, anger, wrath. 
Ebiasaph, E-by'-a-saf, a father that 

gathers together. 
Ed. witness. 

E'den, pleasure, delight. 
E'dom, red, earthy, red earth. 
E'domite, a descendant of Esau, of 

Edom. 
Edrei, Ed'-re-i, a very great mass, 

cloud, death of the wicked. 
Eg'lah, heifer, chariot, round. 
Eglaim,ify4a2/'-im, drops of the sea. 
Eg'lon, the same as Eglah. 
E'gypt, in Hebrew, Mizraim; that 



348 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



binds or straitens, that troubles 

or oppresses. 
Egyp'tian, an inhabitant of Egypt. 
E'hud, he that praises. 
Ek'ron, barrenness, torn away. 
Ek-'ronites, inhabitants of Ekron. 
E'lah, an oak, oath, an imprecation. 
E'lain, a young man, a virgin, 

secret, an age. 
E'iamites, descendants of Elam. 
E'lath, a hind, strength, an oak. 
El-beth'el, the God of Bethel. 
El'dad, loved or favored of God. 
Elealeh, El-e-ay'-leh, ascension or 

burnt-offering of God. 
Eleazer, El-e-ay'-zar, the help or 

court of God. 
El-elohe-Israel, El-el-ho' -he-Is' -ra- 

el, God, the God of Israel. 
El-ha'nan, grace, gift, or mercy of 

God. 
E'li, E'li, my God, my God. 
E'li, the offering or lifting up. 
Eli'ab, God my father. 
Eliada, E-ly'-a-da, or E-le-ay'-da, 

the knowledge of God. 
Eliakirn, E-ly'-a-kim, the resurrec- 
tion of God, God the avenger. 
Eli'am, the people of God. 
Eli'as. See Elijah. 
Eliashib, E-ly'-a-shib, the God of 

conversion. 
Eliathah, E-ly'-a-thah, thou art my 

God, my God comes. 
Eliezer, E-le-ee'-zer, help or court 

of my God. 
Elihoreph, E-le-ho'-ref, the God of 

winter, of youth. 
Eli'hu, he is my God himself. 
Eli'jah, God the Lord, the strong 

Lord. 
Eli'ka, pelican of God. 
E'lim, the rams, the strong, the 

stags, the valleys. 
Elimelech, E-lim'-me-lek, my God 

is king. 
Elioenai, El-e-o' -en-a-i, toward him 

are my eyes, my fountains, toward 

him is my poverty or misery. 
Eliphalet, E-Uf -fa-let, the God of 

deliverance, 
Eliphaz, E-ly'-faz, the endeavor of 

God. 
Elisabeth, E-liz'-a-beth, God hath 

sworn, the fulness of God. 



Eli'sha, salvation of God. 

Eli'shah, son of Javan; it is God, 
God that gives help. 

Elishama, E-lish'-a-mah, God hear 
ing. 

Elisheba, E-lish'-e-ba. See Elisa- 
beth. 

Elishua, El-e-shew'-ah, God is my 
salvation. 

Eliud, E-ly'-ud, God is my praise. 

Eli'zud, God is my strength, my 
rock. 

Elka'nah, God the jealous, the reed 
of God. 

Elmo'dam, the God of measure, of 
the garment. 

Elna'than, God has given. 

E'lon, oak, grove, strong. 

E'lul, cry, outcry. 

Eluzai, E-lu'-za-i, God is my 
strength. 

Elymas, El'-e-mas, in Arabic, a ma- 
gician. 

E'mims, fears of terrors, people. 

Emmaus, Em-may' -us,ox Em' -ma-us, 
people, despised. 

Em'mor, an ass. 

E'nain, a fountain or well, the eyes 
of them. 

En'dor, fountain or eye of genera- 
tion. 

Ene'as, laudable. 

En-eglaim, En-eg' -lay-im, the eye 
of the calves, of the chariots, of 
roundness. 

En-gedi, En-ge'-dy, fountain of the 
goat, of happiness. 

En-mish'pat, fountain of judgment. 

Enoch, Ee'-no/c, dedicated, disci- 
plined, well regulated. 

Enon, Ee'-non, cloud, his fountain. 

Enos, Ee'-nos, fallen man, subject 
to all kind of evil. 

En-rogel, En-ro'-gel, the fuller's 
fountain. 

JZn-shewe?h, En-she' -mesh, the foun- 
tain of the sun. 

Epaphras,jE2->'-pa-/''««j covered with 
foam. 

E'paphroditus, E-paf-ro-dy'-tus, a- 
greeable, handsome. 

Epenetus, E-pe-nee'-tns, laudable, 
worthy of praise. 

Ephah, Ee'-fah, weary, to fly as a 
bird. 



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349 



Ephes-dammim, E 1 '-fez-dam 1 '-mim, 
the effusion or drop of blood. 

Ephesians, E-fee'-se-ans, the people 
of Ephesus. 

~Eph.esus,Ef -fe-sus, desirable; chief 
city of Asia Minor. 

Ephphatha, Ef '-fu-tha.be opened. 

Ephraiin, Ee'-fra-im, that brings 
forth fruit or grows. 

E'phraimite,a descendant of Ephra- 
irn. 

Ephratah, Eff-ray' -tah, abundance, 
bearing fruit. 

Ephrath, Ef-rath. See Ephratah. 

Ephrathite, Ejf-rath-ite, an inhabit- 
ant of Ephratah, or a descendant 
from Ephrairn. 

Ephron, Ef'-fron, dust. 

Epicureans, Ep-e-kew 1 '-re-ans, who 
gives assistance. 

Er, watch, enemy. 

Eras'tus., lovely, amiable. 

E'rech, length, health. 

Esaias, E-zay'-e-as. See Isaiah. 

Esar-haddon, E'-sar-had'-don, that 
binds, joy, or closes the point. 

E'sau, he that does or finishes. 

E'sek, contention. 

Esh-ba'al, the fire of -the idol. 

Esh'col, a bunch of grapes. 

Eshtaol, Esh'-ta-ol, stout, strong 
woman. 

Eshtemoa, Esh-te-mo'-a, which is 
heard, the bosom of a woman. 

Es'li. near me, he that separates. 

Es'rom, the dart of joy, division of 
the song. 

Either, Ess'-ter, secret, hidden. 

E'tam, their bird or covering. 

E'tham, their strength or sign. 

E'than, strong, the gift of the island. 

Ethaniin,i?£/? '-an-j»?, strong,valiant. 

Ethbaal, Eth-bay'-al, toward the 
idol, he that rules. 

Ethiopia, Ee-the-o'-pe-a,m Hebrew, 
Cush, blackness; in Greek it sig- 
nifies heat. 

Ethiopians, Ee-the-o'-pe-ans, Afri- 
cans. 
Eubulus, Yew'-bu-lus, a prudent 

counsellor. 
Eunice, Yew-ny'-se, good victory. 
Euodias, Yew-o'-de-as, sweet scent. 
Euphrates, Yew-fray' -tees, that 
makes fruitful. 



Euroc'lydon, the northeast wind. 

Eutychus, Yew'-te-Icus, happy, for- 
tunate. 

Eve, living, enlivening. 

Evil-merodach, Ee'-vil-me-ro'-dak, 
or mer'-o-dak, the fool of Mero- 
dach, despising the bitterness of 
the fool. 

Ezekiel, E-see' -he-el, the strength 
of God. 

E'zel, going abroad, distillation. 

Ezion-Geber, E'-ze-on-ge'-ber, the 
wood of the man, counsel of the 
man, of the strong. 

Ez'ra, a helper. 

Fe'lix, happy, prosperous. 
Fes'tus, festival, joyful. 
Fortuna'tus, happy, prosperous. 

Gaal, Gay'-al, contempt, abomina- 
tion. 

Gaash, Gay'. -ash, tempest, over- 
throw. 

Gabbatha, Gab'-ba-tha, high, ele- 
vated. In Greek, lithostrotos, 
paved with stones. 

Ga'briel, God is my strength. 

Gad, a band, happy, armed and 
prepared. 

Gadarenes, Gad-a-ree'ns, surround- 
ed, walled. 

Gad'di, my happiness, my troop, a 
kid. 

Gaddiel, Gad'-de-el, goat of God, 
the Lord is my army. 

Gadites, Gad'-dites, descendants of 
Gad. 

Gaius, Gay'-e-us, lord, an earthly 
man. 

Galatia, Gal-ay' -she-a, white, of the 
color of milk. 

Galatians, Gal-ay' -she-ans, born in 
Galatia. 

Galbanum, Gal'-ba-num, a gum, 
sweet spice. 

Galeed, Gal'-e-ed, the heap of wit- 
ness. 

Galilee, Gul'-le-lee, wheel, revolu- 
tion, heap. 

Galileans, Gal-le-lee'-ans, inhabit- 
ants of Galilee. 

Gal'lim, who heap up, oover, roll. 

Gal'lio, he that sucks or lives upoa 
milk. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



Gama'liel, recompense, camel, 

weaned of God. 
Gam'madims, soldiers placed in the 
towers of Tyrus; men who came 
from Gammade, a town of Phe- 
nicia. 
Ga'tam, their lowing, their touch. 
Gath, a press. 
Gatb-rim'mon, the press of the 

granite, exalted press. 
Ga'za, strong, a goat. 
Ge'ba, a hill, a cup. 
Ge'bal, bound, limit. 
Ge'bim, grasshoppers, height. 
Gedaliah, Ged-a-iy'-ah, God is my 

greatness, fringe of the Lord. 
Gehazi, Ge-hay'-zye, valley of sight, 

of the breast. 
Gemari'ah, accomplishment of the 

Lord. 
Gennesaret, Gen-ness'-a-ret, or Jen- 
nets'-a-ret, the garden or protec- 
tion of the prince. 
Genubath, Gen'-u-buth, theft, gar- 
den or protection of the daughter. 
Ge'ra, pilgrimage, dispute. 
Ge'rah, the twentieth part of a she- 
kel. 
Ge'rar. See Gera. 
Gergesenes, Ger'-geseens, those who 
eome from pilgrimage or from 
fight. 
Gerizim, Ger' -re-zim, cutters. 
Ger'shom, a stranger there, a tra- 
veller of reputation. 
Ger'shon, his banishment, the 

change of pilgrimage. 
Ge'shur, the sight of the valley, the 

vale of the ox or the wall. 
Geshurites, Gesh' -u-rytes, inhabit- 
ants of Geshur. 
Ge'ther, the vale of trial, of search- 
ing, the press of inquiry. 
Gethsemane, Getk-sem'-a-ne, a very 

fat valley. 
Giah, Gy r -ah, to guide, draw out, a 

sigh. 
Gibeah, Gib'-e-ah, a hill. 
Gib'eon, hill, cup, that which is 

without. 
Gib'eonites, people of Gibeon. 
Gid'eon, he that bruises, cutting 

off iniquity. 
Gihon, Gy'-hon, valley of grace, im- 
petuous. 



Gilboa, Gil'-bo-ah, revolution of 
inquiry. 

Gilead, Gil'-le-ad, the mass of tes- 
mony. 

Gileadites, Gil'-lc-ad-ites, the in- 
habitants of Gilead. 

Gil'gal, wheel, revolution, heap. 

Giloh, Gy'-loh, he that rejoices, 
overturns. 

Gilonite, Gy'-lon-ite. 

Girgashite, Gir'-gashite, who ar- 
rives from pilgrimage. 

Gittite, Git'-tite, a wine-press. 

Gob, cistern, grasshopper, eminence. 

Gog, roof, covering, 

Go'lan, passage, revolution. 

Gol'gotha, a heap of skulls. 

Go'li'ath,re solution, disco very, heap. 
j Go'mer, to finish, accomplish, a con- 
sumer. 

Gomor'rah, a rebellious people. 

Go'shen, approaching, drawing 
near. 

Go'zan, fleece, pasture, nourishing 
the body. 

Grecia, Gree'-she-a, Greece, the 
country of the Greeks. 

Grecians, Gree'-she-ans, Greeks, the 
inhabitants of Greece. 

Gur, the young of a beast, dwelling, 
fear. 

Gurba'al, the whelp of the governor. 

Habakkuk, Hab'-ak-ule, he that em- 
braces, a wrestler. 

Hachaliah, Hak-a-ty'-ah, who waits 
for the Lord. 

Hachilah, Hak'-e-lah, my trust is 
in her. 

Ha' dad, joy, noise. 

Hadadezer, Hay'-dad-ee'-zer, the 
beauty of assistance. 

Hadad-rimmon, Hay'-dad-rim f - 
mou, the voice of height, the in- 
vocation of Rimmon, a god of the 
Syrians. 

Harlas's-ah, a myrtle, joy. 

Hado'ram, their beauty, power, 
praise. 

Hadrach, Hay'-drak, point, joy of 
tenderness, your chamber. 

Hadta'i, my defence. 

Ha'gar, a stranger, that fears. 

Hagarenes, Hay'-gar-eens, of the 
family of Hagar. 



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351 



Hagarites, Hay'-gar-ites. See Ha- 
garenes. 

Haggai, Hag'-ga-i, feast, solemnity. 

Hag'gith, rejoicing. 

Hak'katan, little. 

Halleluiah, Hal-le-lu'-yak, praise 
the Lord. 

Ham, hot, brown. 

Ha'man, noise, tumult, he that pre- 
pares. 

Ha math, anger, heat, a wall. 

Hammedatha, Ham-med' -a-thah, or 
Ham-me-daif-thah, he that trou- 
bles the law. 

Ha'mon-gog, the multitude of Gog. 

Ha'mor, an ass, clay, wine. 

Ha'inul. godly, merciful. 

Hamu'tal, the shadow of his heat, 
the heat of the dew. 

Hanameel, Han-am'-e-el, or Han 
am-ee'-el, grace or pity from God. 

Hananeel, Han-an-ee* -el, mercy of 
God. 

Hanani, Han-ay'-ny, my grace or 
mercy. 

Hanani'ah, grace or merey of the 
Lord. 

Han'nah, gracious, merciful, taking 
rest. 

Ha'noeh, dedicated. 

Ha'nun, gracious, merciful, he that 
rests. 

Ha'ran, mountainous eountry, which 
is enclosed. 

Harbo'nah, his destruction or dry- 
ness. 

Ha'rod, astonishment, fear. 

Harosheth, Har'-o-sheth, agricul- 
ture, silenee, vessel of earth, 
forest. 

Hashmo'nah, diligence, enumera- 
tion, embassy, present. 

Ha'taeh, he that strikes. 

Havilah, Hav'-e-lah, that suffers 
pain, brings forth, declares to 
her. 

Havoth-Jair, Hay' -voth-jay* -ir, vil- 
lages that enlighten. 

Hazael, Haz'-a-el,, that sees God. 

Hazarmaveth, Hay' -zar-may' -veth, 
eourt or dwelling of death. 

Hazelelponi, Hay'-zel-el-po'-ny, 
shade, sorrow of the face. 

Hazeroth, Haz-ee' '-roth, villages, 
eourt. 

23 



Ha'zor, court, hay. 

He'ber, one that passes, anger. 

He'brews, descended from Hfober. 

He'bron, society, friendship, en- 
chantment. 

Hegai, or Hege. Heg'-a-i, medita- 
tion, word, separation. 

He'lam, their army, trouble, or ex- 
pectation. 

Hel'bon, milk, fatness. 

Heldai, Hel'- da-i, or Hel-day'-i,th.Q 
world. 

He'li, ascending, climbing up. 

Hel'kath-haz'urim, the field of 
strong men, of rocks. 

He'man, their trouble, their tumult, 
much. 

Hen, grace, quiet. 

Hepher, Hee'-fer, a digger or delver. 

Hephzi-bah, He/'-ze-bah, my plea- 
sure. 

Hermes, Mercury, gain, refuge. 

Hermogenes, Her-moj'-e-nes, begot- 
ten of Mercury, of lucre. 

Her'mon, anathema, destruction. 

Her'monites, the inhabitants of 
Hermon. 

Herod, Her'-rod, the glory of the 
skin. 

Herodians, He-ro'-de-ans. 

Hero'dias, the wife of Herod. 

Hercdion, He-ro 1 -de-on, song of 
Juno. 

Hesh'bon, invention, industry, 
thought, he that hastens to un- 
derstand. 

Heth, trembling, fear. 

Heth'lon, fearful dwelling, his cov- 
ering. 

Hezeki'ah, strong in the Lord. 

Hez'ron, the dart of joy, division 
of the song. 

Hiddai, Hid'-da-i, praise, cry. 

Hiddekel, Hid*-de-kel, a sharp 
voiee. 

Hi'el, the life of God. 

Hierapolis, Hi-er-ap'-po-lis, holy 
city. 

Higgaion, Hig-gay'-e-on, medita- 
tion. 

Hilki'ah, God is my portion, the 
Lord's gentleness. 

Hil'lel, praising folly, Lucifer. 

Hin'nom, there they are, their 
riches. 



352 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



Hi'ram, exaltation of life, their 
whiteness, he that destroys. 

Hit'tites, who are broken or fear. 

Hi'vites, wicked, bad, wickedness. 

Ho'bab, favored and beloved. 

Ho'bah, love, friendship, secrecy. 

Hog'lah, his festival, his dance. 

Hophni, Hoff'-ni, he that covers, 
my fist. 

Hor, who conceives, shows. 

Ho'reb, desert, destruction, dry- 
ness. 

Hor-hagidgad, Hor-ha-gidd'-gad, 
hill of felicity. 

Hor'mah, devoted to God, destruc- 
tion. 

Horonaim, Hor-o-nay' -im, anger, 
raging. 

Horonite, Hor' -o-nyte, anger, fury, 
liberty. 

Hosea, and Hoshea, Ho-zee'-a, and 
Ho-shee' -a, Saviour. 

Hul, infirmity, bringing forth ehil 
dren. 

Hul'dah, the world, a prophetess. 

Hur, liberty, whiteness, cavern. 

Hushai, Hew'-sha-i, their haste, 
sensuality or silence. 

Huz'zab, molten. 

Hymeneus, Hy-men-ee'-us, nuptial, 
marriage. 

Ib'har, election, he that is chosen. 

Iehabod, Ik'-a-bod, where is the 
glory ? 

Iconium, I-ko'-ne-um. 

Id'do, his hand, power, praise, wit- 
ness. 

Idumea, Id-ew-mee'-a, red, earthy. 

Igdali'a, the greatness of the Lord. 

I'jon, look, eye, fountain. 

Illyrieum, Il-lir' -re-cum, joy, re- 
joicing. 

Im'lah, plenitude, repletion, circum- 
cision. 

Imman'uel, a name given to our 
Lord Jesus Christ, signifying God 
with us. 

Im'rah, a rebel, changing. 

India, In'-de-a, praise, law. 

Iphedeiah, If-fe-day'-ali, or If-fe- 
dee'-ah, the redemption of the 
Lord. 

I'ra, city, watch, spoil, heap of 
vision. 



I'rad, wild ass, heap of descents, 
of empire. 

Irijah, I-ry'-jah, the fear, vision, or 
protection of the Lord. 

Isaac, J'-zuk, laughter. 

Isaiah, I-zay'-yah, or I-zay'-ee-ah, 
the salvation of the Lord. 

Iscah, Js'-kah, he that anoints, or 
covers. 

Iscariot, Is-kar' -re-ot, is thought to 
signify a native of the town of 
Iscarioth. 

Ish'bak, empty, forsaken, aban- 
doned. 

Ishbi-benob, Ish'-by-bee'-noh, he 
that sits in the prophecy, conver- 
sion. 

Ish-bosheth, Ish'-bo-sheth, a man 
of shame. 

Ishmael, Ish' -ma-el, God who hears. 

Ishmaelites, Ish'-ma-el-ites, the pos- 
terity of Ishmael. 

Israel, Is'-ra-el, a prince with God, 
prevailing with God, that wres- 
tleth with God. 

Israelites, Is'-ra-el-ites, the pos- 
terity of Israel, or Jacob. 

Issachar, Is'-sa-kar, price, reward. 

Italian, I-tal'-e-an, belonging to 
Italy. 

Italy, It'-ta-le, a Latin word that 
has its original from vitulus, or 
vilula, "a calf," or from a king 
called Italus. 

Ith'amar, island of the palm-tree, 
woe to the palm or change. 

Ithiel, Ith'-e-el, God with me, sign. 

Ithream, Ith'-re-am, excellence of 
the people. 

Iturea./y-H-ree'-rr, which is guarded, 
a country of mountains. 

I'vah, iniquity. 

Jaalam, Ja-ay'-lam, hidden, young 

man, kids. 
Jaazania, Ja-az-a-ny'-ah, whom the 

Lord will hear, the balances, the 

arms. 
Ja'bal, which glides away, produces. 
Jab-'bok, evacuation, dissipation. 
Ja'besh, dryness, confusion, shame. 
Jabesh-gilead, Jay' -besh-gil' -e-ad. 
Ja'bez, sorrow, trouble. 
Ja'bin, he that understands, he that 

builds. 



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353 



Jabneel, Jab'-ne-el, building, or 1 
understanding of God. 

.Tachin, Jay'-kin, that strengthens. 

Ja'cob, he that supplants, the heel. 

Ja'el, he that ascends, a kid. 

Jab, the everlasting God. 

Ja'haz, dispute, going out of the 
Lord. 

Jahaza, Ja-hay'-za, the same as 
Jahaz. 

Jair, Jay'-er, my light, who diffuses 
light. 

Jairus, Jay'-e-rus, or Ja-i'-rus, is 
enlightened. 

Jam'bres, the sea with poverty. 

James, the same as Jacob. 

Jan'na, who speaks, who answers, 
affliction. 

Jannes, Jan'-nez, the same as Janna. 

Japheth, Jay'-feth, persuades, hand- 
some. 

Japhia, Ja-fy'-ah, which enlight- 
ens, groans. 

Ja'reb, a revenger. 

Ja'red, he that descends or com- 
mands. 

Ja'sher, righteous. 

Ja'son, he that cures, gives medi- 
cines. 

Ja'van, that deceives, clay. 

Ja'zer, assistance, he that helps. 

Je'bus, treads under foot, contemns. 

Jeb'usites, inhabitants of Jebus. 

Jeconi'ah, preparation or steadfast- 
ness of the Lord. 

Jeddi'el, the knowledge or joy of 
God. 

Jedidah, Jed-dy'-dah, well beloved, 
amiable. 

Jedidiah, Jed-e-dy' -ah, beloved of 
the Lord. 

Jeduthun, Jed-ew' -thun, or Jed'-ew- 
thun, his law, who gives praise. 

Jegar-sahadutha, Je'-gar-say-ha- 
dexo'-tha, the heap of witnessing. 

Jehoahaz, Je-ho-ay'-hnz, the prize 
or possession of the Lord. 

Jeho'ash, the fire or victim of the 
Lord. 

Jehoiachin, Je-hoy'-a-kin, prepara- 
tion or strength of the Lord. 

Jehoiada, Je-hoy'-a-dah, knowledge 
of the Lord. 

Jehoiakim, Je-hoy' -a-him, the resur- 
rection of the Lord. 



Jehon'adab. See Jonadab. 
Jeho'ram, exaltation, rejected of the 

Lord. 
Jehosh'aphat, God judges. 
Jeho'vah, the incommunicable 

name of God, self-existing. 
Jehovah -jireh, Je-ho'-cah-jy'-rey, the 

Lord will see or provide, will be 

manifested. 
Jeho'vah-nis'shthe Lord my banner. 
Jehovah-shalom, Je-ho'-vah-shay'- 

lom, or shal'-lom, the Lord send 

peace. 
Jeho'vah-sham'mah, the Lord is 

there. 
Jeho'vah-tsid'kenu, the Lord our 

righteousness. 
Jehu, Je'-hew, he that is, or exists. 
Jehudijah, Je-hew' -di-jah, praise of 

the Lord. 
Jemi'ma, handsome as the day. 
Jephthah, Jef'-thah, he that opens. 
Jephunneh, Je-fun'-neh, he that 

beholds. 
Je'rah, the moon, to scent or smell. 
Jerahmeel, Je-ram'-me-el, mercy or 

love of God. 
Jeremi'ah, grandeur of the Lord. 
Jericho, Jer'-re-ko, his moon, sweet 

smell. 
Jer'imoth, eminences, he that fears 

or rejects death. 
Jerobo'am, fighting against, in- 
creasing the people. 
Jerubbaal, Jer-ub-bay'-al, he that 

revenges the idol, let Baal defend 

his cause. 
Jerubbesheth, Je-rub' -be-sheth, let 

the idol of confusion defend itself. 
Jeru'salem, the vision or possession 

of peace. 
Jeru'sha, he that possesses the in- 
heritance, exiled. 
Jeshimon, Jesh' -e-mon, solitude, de- 
solation. 
Jeshua, Jesh' -u-a, a Saviour. 
Jeshurun, Jesh-ew' -run, upright. 
Jes'se, to be, my present. 
Jesui, Jes'-u-i, who is equal, flat 

country. 
Jesuites, Jes'-u-ites, the posterity 

of Jesui. 
Je'sus,the holy name Jesus,Saviour, 

who saveth his people from their 

sins. 



354 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



Je'ther, he that excels, remains, 

searches. 
Jeth'ro, his excellence or posterity. 
Je'tur, he that keeps, succession, 

mountainous. 
Je'ush, devoured, gnawed by the 

moth. 
Jew, Jews, so called from Judah. 
Jew'ess, Jew'ish, Jew'ry. 
Jez'ebel, island of the habitation, 

woe to the habitation, isle of the 

dunghill. 
Jezrahiah, Jez-ra-hy'-ah, the Lord 

is the east, the Lord arises. 
Jezreel, Jez' -re-el, or Jez-ree'-el, seed 

of God, dropping of the friendship 

of God. 
Jezreelite, Jez'-re-el-ite, or Jez-ree'- 

el-ite, an inhabitant of Jezreel. 
Jidlaph, Jid'-laf, he that distils, 

hands joined. 
Jo'ab, paternity, having a father, 

voluntary. 
Jo'ah, who has a brother, brother 

of the Lord. 
Joan'na, the grace or mercy of the 

Lord. 
Jo'ash, who despairs, burns, is on 

fire. 
Job, he that weeps, cries, or speaks 

out of a hollow place. 
Jochebed, Jok'-ke-bed, glorious, 

honorable, a person of merit, the 

glory of the Lord. 
Jo'el, that wills, commands, or 

swears. 
Joezer, Jo-ee'-zer, he that aids. 
Jo'ha, who enlivens and gives life. 
Joha'nan, who is liberal and grants 

favor. 
John, the gift or mercy of the Lord. 
Jok'shan,hard, difficult, scandalous. 
Jok'tan, small, disgust, weariness, 

dispute. 
Jon'adab, who acts in good earnest. 
Jo'nah, or Jo'nas, a dove, he that 

oppresses. 
Jon'athan, given to God. 
Jop'pa, beauty, comeliness. 
Jo'ram, to cast, elevated. 
Jor'dan, the river of judgment, that 

rejects judgment, descent. 
Jo'rim, he that exalts the Lord. 
Jo'se, raised, who exists, or pardons, 

Saviour. 



Joseph, Jo'-sef, increase, addition. 

Joses, Jo'-sez. See Jose. 

Josh'ua, the Lord, the Saviour. 

Josi'ah, the fire of the Lord. 

Jo'tham, perfection of the Lord. 

Jubal, Jew'-bal, he that runs, he 
that produces, a trumpet. 

Jubilee, Jcw'-be-lee, a feast of the 
Jews, every fiftieth year; in He- 
brew, Jobef, a ram's horn, or a 
trumpet by which the jubilee year 
was proclaimed. 

JuMah, the praise of the Lord. 

Ju'das, the name as Judah. 

Judea, Jew-dee' -ah, country. 

Ju'lia, downy. 

Ju'lius, the same as Julia. 

Ju'nia, from Juno, or from juvenilis, 
youth. 

Jupiter, Jew'-pe-ter, as if it were ju- 
vavs pater, the father thathelpeth. 

Jus'tus, upright. 

Kabzeel, Kab'-ze-el, the congrega- 
tion of God. 

Ka'desh, holiness. 

Kadesh-barnea, Kay'-desh-bar' -ne- 
or.or bar-nee'-ah. holiness of an in- 
constant son, of the corn, of purity. 

Kad'miel, God of rising. 

Ke'da, blackness, sorrow. 

Kedemah, Ked'-de-mah, Oriental. 

Kedemoth, Ked' -de-moth, old age, 
Orientals. 

Keilah, Ky'-lah, she that divides 
or cuts. 

Kemuel, Kem'-u-el, God is risen. 

Ke'naz, this nest, lamentation, pos- 
session. 

Ke'nites, possession, lamentation, 
nest. 

Keren -happuch, Kee' -ren-ha/p' -puk, 
the horn or child of beauty. 

Kerioth, Ker'-re-oth, the cities, the 
callings. 

Keturah,iTe-fe?c'-ra7i, he that burns, 
or makes the incense to fume, 
odoriferous. 

Keziah, Ke-zy'-ah, superficies, an- 
gles, cassia. 

Ke'ziz, end, extremity. 

Kibroth-hattaavah, Kib' -roth-hat* 
tay'-a-vah, the graves of lust. 

Kid'ron, obscurity, obscure. 

Kir, a city, a wall, a meeting. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



355 



Kir-haraseth, Kir-har'-ra-seth, the 

city of the sun. 
Kiriathaim, Kir' -c-ath-ay'-im, the 

two cities, the callings. 
Kir'jath, city, vocation, lesson, 

meeting. 
Kir'jath-ar'ba, the city of four. 
Kir'jath-a'rim, city of cities, the 

city of those that watch. 
Kir'jath-ba'al, the city of Baal, of 

those that command, of those that 

possess. 
Kirjath-jearim, Kir' -jath-je' -a-rim, 

the city of woods. 
Kir'jath-san'nah, the city of the 

bush, of enmity. 
Kirjath-sepher, Kir' -jath-see' -fer, 

the city of letters, the book. 
Kish, hard, difficult, straw. 
Kish'ron, making sweet, perfum- 
ing. 
Kit'tim, they that bruise, gold, 

coloring. 
Ko'hath, congregation, obedience, 

to make blunt. 
Kohathites, Ko'-hath-ites, the pos- 
terity of Kohath. 
Ko'rah, bald, frozen. 

La'ban, white, shining, gentle. 

Lachu-h, Lay'-kish, she walks, who 
exists of himself. 

La'el, to God, to the almighty. 

Lah'mi, my bread, my war. 

La'ish, a lion. 

La'mech, poor, made low, who is 
struck. 

Laodicea, Lay-o-de-see'-a, just 
people. 

Laodiceans, Xay-o-dee-see'-ans, in- 
habitants of Laodicea. 

Lapidoth, Lap' -pe-doth, enlighten- 
ed, lamps. 

Lazarus, Laz'-za-rus, the help of 
God. 

Le'ah, weary, tired. 

Leb'anon, white, incense. 

Lebbeus,Le6-6ee'-i<s,aman of heart. 

Lehabim, Le'-ha-bim, or Le-hay'- 
bim, flame, the points of a sword. 

Le'hi, jawbone. 

Lem'uel, G'>d with them. 

Le'vi, who is held and associated. 

Le'vites, the posterity of Levi. 

Lib'nah, Lib'ni, white, whiteness. 



Libya, Lib'-e-a, in Hebrew, Lubin, 

the heart of the sea. 
Libyans, Lib'-e-ans, the people of 

Libya. 
Li'nus, nets. 

Lo-am'mi, not my people. 
Lo'is, better. 
Lo-ruhamah, Lo-rn-hay'-mah, not 

having obtained mercy, not 

pitied. 
Lot. wrapped up, myrrh, rosin. 
Lu'cas, luminous. 
Lucifer, Lu'-se-fer, bringing light. 
Lucius, Lu'-she-us. See Lucas. 
Lud, maturity, generation. 
Luke. See Lucas. 
Luz, separation, departure. 
Lycaonia, Ly-Jca-o'-ve-a, she-wolf. 
Lyd'da, the name of a city. 
Lysa'nias, that drives away sorrow. 
Lys'tra, that dissolves or disperses. 

Maachah, 3Iay'-a-kah, to squeeze. 
Maaseiah, Ma-a-sy'-ah, the work 

of the Lord. 
Macedonia, 31as-se-do'-ne-a, adora- 
tion, prostration. 
Machir, May'-kir, he that sells or 

knows. 
Machpelah, 3fak-pee' -lah, double. 
Magdala, 3fag'-da-lah,to\?er,gYea,t- 

ness. 
Magdalene, 3fag-da-le'-ne, tower, 

grand, elevated. 
Ma'gog, roof, that dissolves. 
Magor-missabib, 31 ay' -gor-mis'-sa- 

bib, fear, round about. 
MakalaAee\,3f(i-ha-la-lee' -el, he that 

praises God. 
Mahalath, 3fa -hay '-lath, melodious 

song, infirmity. 
Mahanaim, 3Ia-ha-na.y' -im, the two 

fields or armies. 
Maher-shalal-hash-baz, 3fay'-er- 

shal' -al-hash' -baz, making speed 

to the spoil. 
Mah'lah, the same as Mahalath. 
Mah'lon, song, infirmity. 
Makkedah, 3Iak' -ke-dah, adoration, 

prostration. 
Malcham, Mal'-kam, their king. 
Malchi-shua, 3laV 'Jce-shew' '-ah, my 

king is a saviour. 
Malchus, 3fal'-kus, king or king- 
dom. 



85Q 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 



Mam'mon, riches. 

Ma in 're, rebellious, bitter, that 
changes. 

Manaen,J/em'-a-en,or Ma-nay' -en, a 
comforter, he that conducts them. 

Manas'seh, forgetfulness, he that is 
forgotten. 

Maned, May'-ned, a species of 
money. 

Manoah, Ma-no' -ah, rest, a present. 

Ma'on, house, crime. 

Ma'ra, bitterness. 

Ma'rah, the same as Mara. 

Mar'cus, polite, shining. 

Mark, the same as Marcus. 

Mars'-hill', the place where the 
judges of Athens held their su- 
preme council. 

Mar'tha, who becomes bitter. 

Ma'ry, exalted, bitterness of the sea, 
distress of the sea. 

Masrekah, Mas' -re-kah, whistling, 
hissing. 

Mas'sah, temptation. 

Mat'ri, rain, prison. 

Mat'tan, the reins, the death of 
them. 

Mattathias, Mat-ta-thy' -as, the gift 
of the Lord. 

Mat'that, gift, he that gives. 

Matth'ew, given a reward. 

Matthias, Ma-thy'-as. See Matta- 
thias. 

Maz'zaroth, the twelve signs. 

Me'rlad,he that measures, the water 
of love. 

Me'dan,judgment,process,measure, 
covering. 

Mede*?, Mee'ds, people of Media. 

Media, Mee'-de-a, measure, cover- 
ing, abundance. 

Megiddo, Me-gid'-do, that declares, 
his precious fruit. 

Megiddon, Me-gid' -don, the same as 
Megiddo. 

Mehetabel, Me-het' -ta-ble, how good 
is God! 

Mehujael, Me-hu-jay' -el, who pro- 
claims God, God that blots out. 

Melchi, Mel'-ky, my king, my coun- 
sel. 

Melehizedek, Jlfel-kiz'-ze-dek, king 
of righteousness. 

Melita, Me-ly'-ta or Me-lee'-ta, af- 
fording honey. 



Memphis, Mem'-fis, by the month. 

Memucan, Me-mew'-kan, impover- 
ished, to prepare, certain, true. 

Menahem, Men'-na-hem, comforter, 
who conducts them. 

Mene, Mee'ne, who reckons, who is 
counted. 

Mephibosheth, Me-fib'-bo-sheth, out 
of my mouth proceeds reproach. 

Me'rab, he that fights, he that mul- 
tiplies. 

Merari, Me-ray'-ry, bitter, to pro- 
voke. 

Mercu'rius, a false god; from the 
Latin word mercari, "to buy or 
sell," because he presided over 
merchandise; in Greek, hermes, 
"orator" or "interpreter." 

Merib-baal, Mer-ib'-ba-al, or Mer'- 
ib-bay'-al, rebellion, he that re- 
sists Baal, and strives against the 
idol. 

Meribah,i/er'-re-6aA,dispute, quar- 
rel. 

Merodach, Mer' -ro-dak, bitter, con- 
trition; in Syriac, the little 
lord. 

Merodach-baladan, Mer' -ro-dak- 
baV -la-dan, or ba-lay'-dan, who 
creates contrition, the son of 
death, of thy vapor. 

Me'rom, eminences, elevations. 

Me'roz, secret, leanness. 

Meshach, Mee'-shak, that draws 
with force, that surrounds the 
waters. 

Meshech, Mee' -shek, who is drawn 
by force, shut up, surrounded. 

Meshelemiah, Mesh-el-e-my'-ah, 
peace, perfection, retribution of 
the Lord. 

Mesopotamia, Mes-o-po-tay'-me-a, 
in Hebrew, Aramvaharaim, that 
is, " Syria of the two rivers." In 
Greek it also signifies "between 
two rivers." 

Messiah, 3Ie-sy'-ah, anointed. 
Me'theg-am'mah, the bridle of 

bondage. 
Methusael, 3fe-theio'-sa-el, who de- 
mands his death. 
Methuselah, 3/c-thew'-sc-lah, he has 

sent his death. 
Mi'cah, poor, humble, who strikes, 
is there. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS' TEXT-BOOK. 



357 



Mica i all, Mi-kay' -e-ah, who is like 

to God? the lowliness of God. 
Michaiah, My-kay 1 -e-ah, Michael, 

My'-ka-eJ, the ■same as Micaiah. 
Miehal, My'-kal, who is it that has 

allV who is perfect? 
Michmash, Mik'-mash, he that 

strikes, the poor taken away. 
Midian, Mid'-de-an } ju&gm.ent,mea,- 

sure, covering. 
Midianites, Mid'-de-an-ites, people 

of Midian. 
Mig'dol, a tower, greatness. 
Mig'ron, fear, a barn, from the 

throat. 
Mil'cah, queen. 
Mil'com, their king. 
Miletum, My-lee'-tum, red, scarlet. 
Mil'lo, fulness, repletion. 
Min'ni, disposed, reckoned. 
Min'nith, counted, prepared. 
Miriam, Mir' -re-am, exalted, bittei - - 

ness of the sea, mistress of the 

sea. 
Mis'gab, the high fort or rock. 
Mishael, Mish'-a-el, asked for, lent, 

God takes away. 
Misrephoth-maim,JA's'-re-/b</i-w?a'- 

im, the burnings of the waters, 

furnaces where metals are melted. 
Mitylene, Mit-e-lee' -ne, purity, 

ores?. 
Mi'zar, little. 
Miz'pah, a sentinel, speculation, 

that waits for. 
Miz'peh, the same as Mizpah. 
Mizraim, Miz-ray'-im, tribulation, 

in straits. 
Mnason, Nay' -son, a diligent seeker, 

betrothing, an exhorter. 
Mo'ab, of the father. 
Moabites, Mo'-ab-ites, the descend- 
ants of Moab. 
Moladah. Mol'-a-dah, or Mo-lay'- 

dah, birth, generation. 
Molech, Mo'-lek, king. 
Moloch, Mo'-lok, the same as Molech. 
Mordecai, Mor' -de-cay, contrition, 

bitter, bruising; in Syriac, pure 

myrrh. 
Mori'ah, bitterness or fear of the 

Lord. 
Mosera, Mo-see' -ra, Moseroth, Mo- 
see' -roth, erudition, discipline, 

bond. 



Mo'ses, taken out of the water. 

Mu'shi, he that touches, withdraws 
himself. 

My'ra, I flow, pour out, weep. 

Mysia, Mish'-e-a, criminal, abomi- 
nable. 

Naaman, Na-ay'-man, beautiful, 
agreeable, that prepares himself 
to motion. 

Naaniathite, Na-ay' -ma-thite, of 
Naamath. 

Naashon, Na-ash'-on, that foretells, 
serpent. 

Na'bal, a fool, senseless. 

Na'both, words, prophecies, fruits. 

Na'dab, free and voluntary gift, 
prince. 

Nagge, Nar/'-gee, brightness. 

Naharai, Na-har' -ra-i, or Na-ha- 
ray'-i, my nostrils, hoarse, hot. 

Nahash, Nay' -hash, snake, one that 
foretells, brass. 

Na'hor, hoarse, hot, angry. 

Nahshon, Nay' -shon. See Naashon. 

Na'hum, comforter, penitent, their 
guide. 

Na'in, beauty, pleasantness. 

Naioth, Nay'-e-oth, beauties, habi- 
tations. 

Naomi, Na'-o-my, beautiful, agree- 
able. 

Naphish, Nay' -fish, the soul, he that 
refreshes himself, that respires; 
in Syriac, that multiplies. 

Naphtali, Naf'-ta-ly, comparison, 
likeness, that fights. 

Narcissus, Nar-sis'-sus, astonish- 
ment. 

Na'than, who gives, or is given. 

Nathanael, Na-than'-yel, the gift 
of God. 

Nathan melech, Nay' -than- me' -lek, 
gift of the king. 

Na'um. See Nahum. 

Nazarene, Naz-a-ree'n, kept, flower. 

Nazareth, Naz'-a-reth, separated, 
sanctified. 

Neapolis, Ne-ap'-po-Hs, new city. 

Nebaioth, Nc-bay'-yoth, prophecies, 
fruits. 

Ne'hat, that beholds. 

Ne'bo, that speaks, prophesies, or 
fructifies. 

Nebuchadnezzar, Neb-eiv-kad-nez' - 



358 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



zar, tears and groans of judg- 
ment. 

Nebuzar-adan, Neb-ew-zar' -ra-dan, 
fruits or prophecies of judgment, 
winnowed, spread. 

Necho, Nee'-ko, lame, who was 
beaten. 

Nehelauiite, Ne-hel' -a-myte, dream- 
er, vale, brook. 

Nehemiah, Ne-Jie-my'-ali, consola- 
tion, repentance, or rest of the 
Lord. 

Nehiloth, Ne-hee'-loth, flute, haut- 
boy, cornet. 

Nehushta,A r e-/JHs//-<a#,snake,sootk- 
sayer. 

Nehush'tan, which is of brass or 
copper, a trifle of brass. 

Her, lamp, brightness, land new 
tilled. 

Nereus, Nee'-ree-us. See Ner. 

Neri, Nee'-ry, my light. 

Neri'ah, light and lamp of the Lord. 

Nethane-el, Ne-than f -ne-el. See Na- 
than aeL 

Nethania, NetJt-a-ny'-ah, the gift 
of the Lord. 

Nethinims, Neth'-e-nims t given, of- 
fered. 

Nib'haz, that fructifies, to prophesy, 
to speak. 

Nicanor, Ny-hay'-nor, a conqueror, 
victorious. 

Nicodenius, Nik-o-dee'-mits, inno- 
cent blood ; in Greek, the victory 
of the people. 

Nicolaitans, JYilc-o-lay'-e-tans, the 
followers of Nicolas. 

Nicolas, Nik' o-las, victor of the 
people. 

Nicopolis, JVy-Kop'-joo-h's, the city 
of victory. 

Niger. Ny r -jer, black. 

Niin'rim, leopard, rebellion, change. 

Nim'rod, rebellious, sleep of descent. 

Nim'shi, rescued from danger, that 
touches. 

Nineveh, Nin'-ne-veh, agreeable 
dwelling. 

Ninevites, Nin'-ne-vites, people of 
Nineveh. 

Ni'san, banner; in Syriac, a miracle. 

Nis'roch, flight, standard, proof. 

No, a stirring up, a forbidding. 

Noadi'ah, witness of the Lord. 



No'ah, repose, rest, consolation. 

Nob, discourse, prophecy. 

No'bah, that barks or yelps. 

Nod, vagabond. 

Noph, Nuff, honey-comb, a sieve, 
that drops. 

Nun, son, posterity, durable. 

Nymphas, Nim'-fas, spoUse, bride- 
groom. 

Obadi'ah, servant of the Lord. 
O'bal, inconvenience of old age, of 

the flux. 
O'bed, a servant. 
O'bed-e'dom, the servant of Edom, 

the Idumean, the laborer of the 

man. 
O'bil, that weeps, deserves to be 

bewailed, ancient. 
Oc'ran, disturber. 
O'ded, to sustain, to lift up. 
Og, a cake, bread baked in the ashes. 
O'hel, tent, tabernacle, brightness. 
Oiympas, O-lim'-pas, heavenly. 
O'mar, he that speaks, bitter. 
Omega, O-mee'-ga, the last letter of 

the Greek alphabet. 
Om'ri, a sheaf of com, rebellion, 

bitter. 
On, pain, force, iniquity. 
O'nan, pain, strength, iniquity. 
Onesitnus, O-nes'-se-mus, profitable, 

useful. 
Onesiphorus, On-ne-sif '-fo-rna, who 

brings profit. 
Ophel, O'-fel, tower, obscurity. 
Ophir, O'-fir, ashes. 
Ophrah, Off-rub, dust, fawn, lead. 
O'reb, a raven, caution, evening. 
Orion, O-ry'-on, the name of a con- 
stellation. 
Or'nan, that rejoices, their bow or 

ark. 
Or'pah, the neck, skull, nakedness 

of the mouth. 
Oth'ni. my time, my hour. 
Othniel, Oth f -ne-el, the hour of God. 
O'zem, that fasts, their eagerness. 
Ozias, O-zij'-as, strength from the 

Lord. 

Paarai, Pay'-a-ray, or Pay-a'-ry, 
opening. 

Padan -aram. Pay' -da n - ay' -ram , Pa- 
dan of the field, and Aram Syria 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



359 



Pagiel, Pay'-jc-cl, prevention or 
prayer of God. 

Palestina, Pal-es-ty'-na, which is 
covered. 

Pal'ti, deliverance, flight. 

Pamphylia, Pam-fil' -le-a, a nation 
made up of every tribe. 

Papbos, Pay'-fos, which boils, is 
very hot. 

Pa'ran, beauty, glory, ornament. 

Par'bar, a gate or building belong- 
ing to the temple. 

Par'menas, that abides and is per- 
manent. 

Parosh, Pay'-rosh, a flea, fruit of the 
moth. 

Parshandath.a,/ > ar-sAon'-£?a-<7i«,re- 
velation of corporeal impurities, 
of his trouble. 

Parthians, Par'-the-ans, horsemen. 

Paruah, Pa-rew'-ah, flourishing, 
that flies away. 

Parva'im, supposed to be Peru or 
Ceylon. 

Pash'ur, that extends the hole, 
whiteness. 

Patara, Pa-tay'-rah, which is trod- 
den under foot. 

Pathros, Path'-ros, or Pay'-thros, 
mouthful of dew. 

Pat'mos, mortal. 

Patrobas, Pat'-ro-bas, paternal, that 
pursues the steps of his father. 

Pan, Pay' -ew, that cries aloud, ap- 
pears. 

Paul, Paul'us, a worker. His 
former name was Saul, a sepul- 
chre, a destroyer. 

Pedahzur, Ped-ha' -zur, saviour, 
strong and powerful, stone of 
redemption. 

Pedaiah, Ped-ay'-e-ah, redemption 
of the Lord. 

Pe'knh, he that opens, or is at 
liberty. 

Pekahiah, Pek-a-hy'-ah, it is the 
Lord that opens. 

Pe'kod, noble, rulers. 

Pelati'ah, let the Lord deliver. 

Pe'les;, division. 

Pelethites, Pel'-eth-ites, judges, de- 
stroyers. 

Peniel, Pe-ny'-el,face or vision of 
God. 

Penin'nah. precious stone, his face. 



Penu'el. See Peniel. 
Peor, Pee'-or, hold, opening. 
Per'ga, very earthly. 
Per'games, height, elevation. 
Perizzites, Per'-iz-zytes, the name 

of a people who dwell in villages. 
Per'sia, Per'sis, that cuts, nail, 

horseman. 
Pe'ter, a rock, a stone. 
Pethu'el, mouth or persuasion of 

God. 
Phalec, Fay'-lek. See Peleg. 
Phallu, Fa'l' -In, admiiable, hidden. 
Phalti, Fal'-ty, deliverance, flight. 
Phanuel, Fa-new' -el, face or vision 

of God. 
Pharaoh, Fay'-ro, that disperses, 

that discovers. 
Pharez, Fay'-rez, division, rupture. 
Pharpar, Far'-par, that produces 

fruits, fall of the bull. 
Phebe, Fee' -be, shining, pure. 
Phenice, Fe-ny'-se, red, purple. 
Phicol, Fy'-kol, the mouth of all, 

perfection. 
Philadelphia, Fil-a-deV '-fe-a, the 

love of a brother. 
Philemon, Fil-ee'-mon, or Fy-lee'- 

mon, that is affectionate. 
Philetus, Fil-ee'-tus, or Fy-lee'-tus, 

amiable, beloved. 
Phil'ip, warlike, a lover of horses. 
Philippi, Fil-lip'-pi, the same as 

Philip. 
Philistia, Fil-lis'-te-a, or Fy-lis'- 

te-a, the country of the Philis- 
tines. 
Philistines, Fil-lis' -tines, or Fy-lis'- 

tins, those that dwell in villages. 
Philologus, Fil-lol'-lo-gus, lover of 

learning. 
Phinehas, Fin'-ne-Tias, a bold coun- 
tenance. 
Phlegon, Fie' gon, zealous, burning. 
Phryiiia, Frij'-e-a, dry, barren. 
Phurah, Feic'-rah, that bears fruit, 

that grows. 
Phygellus, Fy-jel'-lvs, fugitive. 
Pi-be'seth, the mouth of despite. 
Pi-hahiroth, Py -ha -hi' -roth, the 

mouth, the pass of Hiroth, the 

opening of liberty. 
Pi'late, who is armed with a dart. 
Pi'non, gem. that beholds. 
Pirathon, Pir'-a-thon, his dissipa. 



300 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



pation, deprivation; in Syriac, 
hi? vengeance. 

Pis'gah, hill, eminence, fortress. 

Pisidia, Py-sid' -e-a, pitch, pitchy. 

Pi'son, changing, doubling, ex- 
tended. 

Pi'thoni, their mouthful, bit, con- 
summation. 

Pi'thon, his mouth, his persuasion. 

Pol'lux, a boxer. 

Pontius, Pon'-s/(e-i<s,marine,belong- 
ing to the sea. 

Pon'tus_ the sea. 

Poratha, Por'-a-tha, fruitful. 

Porcius, Por' -she-us. 

Potiphar, Pot'-te-far, bull of Africa, 
fat bull. 

Poti-pherah, Pot-if'-fe-rah, or Pot- 
e fee' -rah that scatters or demo- 
lishes the fat. 

Prisca, Pris'-kah, ancient. 

Priscilla, Pris-ciV -lah, the same as 
Prisca. 

Prochorus, Prok'-o-rus, he that 
presides over the choirs. 

Publius, Pub'-le-us, common. 

Pudens, Pew'-dens, shamefaced. 

Pul, bean, destruction. 

Pu'non, precious stone, that be- 
holds. 

Pur. lot, 

Puteoli, Pew-tee'-o-hj, a city in 
Campania. 

Putiel, Pew'-te-el, God is my fatness. 

Quar'tus, the fourth. 

Raamah, Ray'-a-mah, or Ra-ay'- 

mah, greatness, thunder, evil, 
bruising. 

Raainses, Ra-am'-ses. See Rame- 
ses. 

Rab'bah, powerful, contentious. 

Rab'mag, who overthrows a multi- 
tude, chief of the magicians. 

Rab'saris, grand master of the 
eunuchs. 

Rab'shakeh, cup-bearer of the 
prince, chamberlain. 

Rachab, Ray'-kab, proud, strong, 
enlarged. 

Ra'chal, injurious, perfumer. 

Rachel, Ray'-tshel, a sheep. 

Ragau, Ray'-gaw, a friend, a neigh- 
bor. 



Raguel, Rag-ew'-el, shepherd or 
friend of God. 

Ra'hab, proud, strong, quarrelsome. 

Ra'hal). large. ex tended, public place. 

Rak'kath, empty, spittle. 

Rak'kon, vain, mountain of lamen- 
tations. 

Ram, elevated, who rejects. 

Ramah, Ray'-mah, the same as Ram. 

Ramath, Ray' -math, raised, lofty. 

Ramathaim-zophim, Ray -math-ay' - 
im-zo'-fim, the same as Ramah. 

Ra'math-le'hi, elevation of the jaw- 
bone. 

Rameses, Ram'-e-ses, thunder, he 
that destroys evil. 

Ramiah, Ram-i'-ah, exaltation of 
the Lord. 

Ra'moth, high places. 

Rapha, Ray' -fa, relaxation, physic. 

Raphael, Ray-fay' -el. See Rephael. 

Raphu, Ray' -few, cured, comforted. 

Re'ba, the fourth, a square, that 
stoops. 

Rebek'ah, fat, quarrel appeased. 

Rechab, Re'-kah, square, chariot, 
rider. 

Rechabites, Re'-kab-ites, the pos- 
terity of Rechab. 

Regem, Re'-jem, that stones, purple. 

Regem-melech, Re-jem'-me-lek, he 
that stones the king, the purple 
of the king. 

Rehabi'ah, breadth, place of the 
Lord. 

Re'hob, breadth, extent. 

Rehobo'am, who sets the people at 
liberty, space of the people. 

Reho'both, spaces, places. 

Re'hum, compassionate, friendly. 

Re'i, my shepherd, companion, my 
evil. 

Remali'ah, the exaltation of the 
Lord. 

Rem'mon, greatness, a pomegra- 
nate-tree. 

Rempban, Rem' fan, the name of 
an idol, which some think to be 
Saturn. 

Rephael, Re' -fa-el, the medicine of 
God. 

Rephaim, Rephaims, Re-fay'-im, 
giant, physician, relaxed. 

Rephidim, Ref'-e-dim, beds, places 
of rest. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



:01 



Resin. Ree'sen, a bridle or bit. 
Reu, Ree'-eic, his frieud, his shep- 
herd. 

Reuben. Rew'-ben, who sees the son, 
vision of the son. 

Reu'benites, the posterity of Reu- 
ben. 

Reuel, Re-yew' -el, shepherd or 
friend of God. 

Reuinah, Re-yew'-mah, lofty, sub- 
lime. 

RczephfRee' -zeff, a pavement, burn- 
ing coal. 

Re'zin, voluntary, runner. 

Re'zon, lean, secret, prince. 

Rhegium, Ree'-je-um, rupture, frac- 
ture. 

Rhesa, Ree'-sah, will, course. 

Rhoda, Ro'-dah, a rose. 

Rhodes, Ro'-des, the. same as Rhoda. 

Rib'lah, quarrel that increases or 
spreads. 

Rim'mon, exalted, pomegranate. 

Riphath, Ry'-fath, remedy, release. 

Ris'sah, watering, distillation, dew. 

Riz'pah, bed, extension, coal. 

Rogel, Ro'-jel, a foot; in Syriac, 
custom. 

Romamti-ezer, Ro' -mam-te-ee' -zer, 
exultation of belp. 

Ro'man, strong, powerful. 

Rome, strength, power. 

Rosh, the head, the beginning. 

Ru'fus, red. 

Ruhamah. Ru-hay'-maJi, having 
obtained mercy. 

Ru'mah, exalted, rejected. 

Ruth, filled, satisfied. 

Sabe'ans, captivity, conversion, old 
age. 

Sabtecha, Sab'-te-kah, that sur- 
rounds. 

Sa'doc, just, justified. 

Sa'lah, mission, dart; according to 
the Syriac, that spoils. 

Salamis, Sal' -la-m is, shaken, tossed, 
beaten. 

Salathiel, Sal-ay' -the-el, I have 
asked of G-od. 

Sa'lem, complete, peace. 

Sa'lim. See Shalim. 

Sal'mon, peaceable, perfect, that 
rewards. 

Salmone, Sal-mo 1 -ne, peaceable. 



Salome, Sa-lo'-me. See Salmon. 

Samaria, Sa-may'-re-a, his guard, 
prison, or diamond; in Hebrew, 
Shomeron. 

Samar'itans, people of Samaria. 

Sam'lah, raiment, his left hand, his 
name. 

Sa'mos, full of gravel. 

§3iW.oih.\'&(i\&,Sam-o-th ray' -she-a,ain 
island, so called because it was 
peopled by Samians and Thra- 
cians. 

Sam'son, his sun; according to the 
Syriac, his service, here the second 
time. 

Sam'uel, heard or asked of God. 

Sanbal'lat, bush or enemy in secret. 

Sapb, Saff, rushes, end, threshold. 

Saphir, Saf'-Jlr, or Say'-fir, a city. 

Sapphira, Saf-fy'-rah, that tells, 
that writes books. 

Sa/rah, lady princess of the multi- 
tude. 

Sarai, Say'-ray, my lady, my prin- 
cess. 

Saudis, prince or song of joy, what 
remains; in Syriac, a pot or 
kettle. 

Sarep'ta, a goldsmith's shop, where 
metals used to be melted and tried. 

Sar'gon, who takes away protection, 
wbo takes away the garden ; ac- 
cording to the Syriac, net, snares. 

Sa'ron. See Sharon. 

Sarsechim, Sar-see'-kim, master of 
the wardrobe, of the perfumes. 

Saruch, Say'-ruh, branch, layer, 
twining. 

Sa'tan, contrary, adversary, an 
accuser. 

Saul, demanded, sepulchre, de- 
stroyer. 

Sceva, See'-vak, disposed, prepared. 

Sex th\i\n,Sith'-e-an, tanner,leather- 
dresser. 

Se'ba, drunkard, that surrounds; 
according to the Syriac, old man. 

Se'bat, twig, sceptre, tribe. 

Secun'dus, the second. 

Se'gub, fortified, raised. 

Seir, See'-er, hairy, demon, tempest, 
barley. 

Se'lah, a rock. 

Seleucia, Se-lew'-she-a, beaten by 
waves, runs as a river. 



802 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



Semei, Sem'- me-i, or Se-mee'-i, hear- 
ing, obeying. 

Se'neh, bush. 

Se'nir, a sleeping candle, a chang- 
ing. 

Sennacherib, Sen-nak' -ker-ib, bush 
of the destruction of the sword, 
of drought. 

Sephar, See' -far, a book, scribe; in 
Syriac, a haven. 

Sepharad, See-fay' -rad, a book, de- 
scending, ruling. 

Sepharvaim, Sef-ar-vay' -im, two 
books, two scribes. 

Se'rah, lady of scent, song, the 
morning. 

Seraiah, Se-ra-i'-ah, or Se-ray' -yah, 
prince of the Lord. 

Sergius, Ser'-je-tia, a net. 

Se'rug. See Saruch. 

Seth, put, who puts. 

Shaalbiin, Shay-alb'-im, that be- 
holds the hearts. 

Shaaraim, Shay-a-ray'-im, gates, 
valuation, hairs, barley, tempests, 
demons. 

Shaashgaz, Shay-ash' -gaz, he that 
presses the fleece. 

Shadrach, Shay'-drak, tender nip- 
ple, tender field. 

Sha'lim, fox, fist, path. 

Shalisha, Shal'-e-shah, three, the 
third, prince. 

Shal'lecheth, a casting out. 

Shal'lum, perfect, peaceable. 

Shal'inan, peaceable, perfect, that 
rewards. 

Shalmanezer, Shal-ma-nee'-zer, 
peace, tied, perfection and retri- 
bution. 

Sham'gar, named a stranger, he is 
here a stranger, surprise of the 
stranger. 

Sham'huth, desolation, astonish- 
ment. 

Sha'mir, prison, bush, lees. 

Sham'mah, loss, desolation, aston- 
ishment. 

Shammuah, Sham' -mew-ah, that is 
heard or obeyed. 

Shaphan, Shay'-fan, a rabbit, wild 
rat, their lip. 

Shaphat, Shay' -fat, a judge. 

Sharai, Shar'-a-i, or Sha-ray'-i, my 
lord, my song. 



Sharezer, Shar-ee' -zer, oversea * 
the treasury. 

Sha'ron, his plain, field, song. 

Sha'^hak, a bag of linen, the sixth 
bag. 

Sha'veh, the plain that makes 
equality. 

Shealtiel, She-al' -te-el, I have asked 
of God. 

Sheariah, She-a-ry 1 -ah , gate or tem- 
pest of the Lord. 

She'ar-ja'shub, the remnant shall 
return. 

She'ba, compassing about, repose, 
old age. 

Shebaniah, Sheb-a-ny'-ah, the Lord 
that converts, that recalls from 
captivity, that understands. 

Sheb'na, who rests himself, who is 
now captive. 

Shechem, Shee'-kem, portion, the 
back, shoulders. 

Shedeur, Shee'-de-ur, or Shed'-e-ur y 
field, destroyer of fire. 

She'lah, that breaks, that undresses. 

Shelemiah, Shel-le-my'-ah, God is 
my perfection, my happiness. 

Sheleph, Shee'-lef. who draws out. 

Shel'omith, my happiness, my re- 
compense. 

Shelumiel, Shcl-ew-my'el, happi- 
ness, retribution of God. 

Shem, name, renown, he that places. 

Sheinaiah, Sliem-a-i'-ah, or Shem- 
ay'-yah, that obeys the Lord. 

Shemariah, Shem-a-ry'-ah, God is 
my guard, diamond. 

Shemeber, Shem'-me-ber, name of 
force, fame of the strong. 

Shemer, Shee'-mer, guardian, thorn. 

Skernida,»S7te-w??/'-rf«,name of know- 
ledge, that puts knowledge, the 
science of the heavens. 

Sheminith, Shem' -me-nilh, the 
eighth. 

Sheiniramoth, She-mir'-ra-moth, the 
height of the heavens, the eleva- 
tion of the name. 

Shen, tooth, change, he that sleeps. 

Shenir, Shee'-nir, lantern, light that 
sleeps, he that shows. 

Shephatiah, Shef-a-ly'-ah, the Lord 
that judges. 

Sheshach, Shee'-shal; bag of flax, 
the sixth bag. 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



3G3 



Sheshbazzar, Shesh-baz'-zar, joy in 
tribulation, or of vintage. 

Sheth. See Seth. 

Shether-boznai, Shee' -ther-boz' -nai, 
that makes to rot and corrupt. 

She'va, vanity, elevation, fame, 
tumult. 

Shibboleth, Shib'-bo-leth, burden, 
ear of corn. 

Shicron, Shy'-kron, drunkenness, 
his wages. 

Shiggaion, Shig-gay' -yon, a song 
of trouble. 

Shigionoth, Shig-gy' -on-oih, mourn- 
ful music. 

Shiloah, Shy-lo'-ah. See Siloah. 

Shi'loh, sent, the apostle. 

Shi'loh, peace, abundance. 

Shilonite, Sky'~lo-nyte, of the city 
of Shiloh. 

Shimeah, Shim'-me-ah, that hears, 
that obeys. 

Shimei, Shim'-me-i, that hears, 
name of the heap, my reputation. 

Shimshai, S'lini'-shay, my sun. 

Shinar, Shy'-nar, the watching of 
him that sleeps, change of the 
city. 

Shiphrah, Shif-rah, handsome, 
trumpet, that does good. 

Shi'shag, present of the bag, of the 
pot, of the thigh. 

Shit'tim, that turns away, scourges, 
rods. 

Sho'a, tyrants. 

Sho'bab, returned, turned back. 

Sho'bach, your bonds, your nets, 
his captivity; according to the 
Syriac, a dove-house. 

Shochoh,*S7io'-&oA,defence, a bough. 

Shoshan'nim, lilies of the testi- 
mony. 

Shu'ah, pit, humiliation, medita- 
tion. 

Shu'al, fox, hand, fist, traces, way. 

Shu'hite, a descendant of Shuah. 

Shu'lamite, peaceful, perfect, that 
recompenses. 

Shu'namite, a native of Shunem. 

Shu'nem, their change, their sleep. 

Shur, wall, ox. 

Shu'shan, lily, rose, joy. 

Shu'thelah,plant, verdure, moist pot. 

Bib'mah, conversion, captivity, old 
age, rest, 



Sichem, Sy'-kcm. See Shechem. 

Si'don, hunting, fishing, venison. 

Sigionoth, Siy-yy'-o-noth, according 
to variable tunes. 

Si'hon, rooting out, conclusion. 

Si'ho'r, black, trouble, early in the 
morn. 

Si'las, three, the third. 

Siloas, Sil'-o-as, or Sy'-lo-a8, Silo- 
am, Sil'-o-am, or Sy-lo'-am, sent, 
dart, branch. 

Siloe, Sil'-o-e, or Sy-lo'-e, the same 
as Siloas. 

Silva'nus, one who loves the woods. 

Sim'eon, that hears or obeys. 

Si'mon, that hears or obeys. 

Sin, bush. 

Sinai, Sy'-nay, or Sy'-nay-i, bush; 
according to the Syriac, enmity. 

Si'nim, the south country. 

Si'on, noise, tumult. 

Si'rah, turning aside, rebellion. 

Sirion, Sir'-re-on, a breastplate, 
deliverance. 

Sisera, Sis'-se-rah, that sees a horse 
or swallow. 

Si'van, bush, thorn. 

Smyr'na, myrrh. 

So, a measure for grain or dry mat- 
ters. 

So'coh, tents, tabernacles. 

So'di, my secret 

Sodom, Snd'-dom, their secret, their 
lime, their cement. 

Sodomites, Sod'-dom-iles, inhabit- 
ants of Sodom. 

Sol'omon, peaceable, perfect, one 
who recompenses. 

Sopater, So^iay'-ter, who defends 
or saves his father. 

So'rek, hissing, a color inclining to 
yellow. 

Sosipater, So-se-pay 1 -ter. See So.- 
pater. 

Sosthenes, tfos'-^e-nes, a strong and 
powerful saviour. 

Spain, rare, precious. 

Stachys, Stay'-Ms, spike. 

Stephanas, Stef'-fa-nas, a crown, 
crowned. 

Ste'phen, the same as Stephanas. 

Suc'coth, tents, tabernacles. 

Suc'coth-be'noth, the tabernacles 
of young women. 

Suk'kims, covered, shadowed. 



364 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



Sur, that withdraws or departs. 
Susan'na, a lily, a rose, joy. 
Susi, Su'-sy, horse, swallow, moth. 
Sychar, Sy'-kar, the name of a city. 
Syene, Sy-ee'-ne, bush; according 

to the Syriac, enmity. 
Syntyche, Sin'-te-ke, that speaks or 

discourses. 
Syracuse, Sir'-ra-kewse, that draws 

violently. 
Syria, Sir'-re-a, in Hebrew, Aram, 

sublime, deceiving. 
Syriac, Syrian, Sir'-re-ak, Sir'-re- 

an. of Syria. 
Syrians, Sir'-re-ans, inhabitants of 

Syria. 
Syro-phenician, Sy'-ro-fe-nish'-e- 

an, purple, drawn to. 

Taanach, Tay'-a-nak, or Ta-ay'- 
nak, who humbles or answers 
thee. 

Tab'bath, good, goodness. 

Tabeal, Tay'-be-al, or Tab-ee'-al, 
good God. 

Tabeel, Tay'-be-el, or Tab-ee'-el, the 
same as Tabeal. 

Taberah, Tab'-e-rah, or Tab-ee'-rah, 
burning. 

Tabitha, Tab'-e-tha, in Syriac, clear- 
sighted; she is also called Dorcas, 
wild goat. 

Ta'bor, choice; in Syriac, contri- 
tion. 

Tabrimon, Tab'-re-mon, good pome- 
granate. 

Tad'mor, palm-tree, change. 

Tahapanes, Ta-hap'-pa-nes, secret 
temptation. 

Tahpenes, Tah'-pe-nes, standard, 
flight. 

Talitha-cumi, Tal'-le-tha-keio'-my, 

. young woman arise. 

Talmai, TaV -may, my furrow, heap 
of waters. 

Ta'mar, a palm, palm-tree. 

Tam'muz, abstruse, concealed. 

Tanhumeth, Tan-hew' ' -meth, or Tan- 
hu'-meth, consolation, repentance. 

Taphath, Tay'-fath, little girl. 

Tar'pelites, ravishers, wearied. 

Tar'shish, contemplation of the 
marble. 

Tar'sns, winged, feathered. 

Tar'tak, chained, bound, shut up. 



Tar 'tan, that searches, the gift of 
the turtle. 

Tatnai, Tat' -nay, that gives. 

Te'bah, murder, a cook. 

Te'beth, ihe Babylonish name of the 
tenth month of the Hebrews. 

Te'kel, weight. 

Tekoa, Te-ko'-ah, sound of the 
trumpet. 

Tel'abid, a heap of new grain. 

Tel-harsa, Td-har'-sah, heap, sus- 
pension of the plough or of the 
head. 

Te'lii'th, goodness. 

Tel-melah, Tel'-me-lah, or Tel- 
mee'-luh, heap of salt or of mari- 
ners. 

Te'ma, admiration, perfection. 

Te'man, the south, Africa. 

Te'manite, an inhabitant of Teman. 

Te'rah, to breathe, to scent, to blow. 

Teraphim, Ter' -a-fim, an image, an 
idol. 

Tertius, Ter'-she-us, the third. 

Tertul'lus, a liar, an impostor. 

Tetrarch, Tet'-rark, or Tee' trark, 
governor of a fourth part of a 
kingdom. 

Thaddeus, Thad-dee'-ns, that 
praises. 

Tha'hash, that makes haste, or 
keeps silence. 

Thit'mah, that blots out or sup- 
presses. 

Tha'mar. See Tamar. 

Tham'muz. See Tainmuz. 

Tbe'bez, muddy, silk. 

Thelasar, The-lass'-ar, that unbinds 
and grants the suspension or 
heap. 

Theophilus, The-of'-fe-lus, a friend 
of God. 

Thessalonica, Thes-sa-Jo-ny'-kah, 
victory against the Thessalians. 

Theudas, Thew'-das, a false teacher. 

Thomas, Tom' -mas, a twin. 

Thum'mim, truth, perfection. 

Thyatira, Thy-a-ty'-rah, a sweet 
savor of labor, or sacrifice of con- 
trition. 

Tiberias, Ti-bee'-re-as, good vision. 

Tiberius, Ti-bee'-re-iis, son of Tiber 

Tib'ni, straw, undertaking. 

Ti'dal, that breaks the yoke. 

Tigiath-pileser, Tig'-lath-pi-lee'-ser, 



THE ODD-FELLOWS 7 TEXT-BOOK. 



365 



that takes away captivity, mira- 
culous. 
Tik'vah, hope, a congregation. 
Timeus, Ti-mee'-us, in Greek, per- 
fect, honorable; in Hebrew, ad- 
mirable. 
Tiin'nath, image, enumeration. 
Timnath-heres, Tim'-nath-hee'-res, 

image of the dumb. 
Ti'mon, honorable, worthy. 
Timo'theus, honor of God, valued 

of God. 
Tiphsah, 77/"'-.saft,passage,passover. 
Tirhakah, Tir' -hay-kah, or Tir'-ha- 

kah, inquirer, law made dull. 
Tirshatha, Tir-ehay' -tha, that over- 
turns the foundation ; in Syriac, 
that beholds the time. 
Tir'zah, benevolent, pleasant. 
Tish'bite, that makes captives, that 

dwells. 
Ti'tus, honorable. 
To'ah, a weapon. 
Tob, good, goodness. 
Tob-adonijah, Tub' -ad-o-ny' -jali, 

my good God. 
Tobi'ah, the Lord is good. 
To'garmah,whichisallbone,strong. 
To'hu. that lives or declares. 
Toi, To'-i, who wanders. 
To'la, worm, scarlet. 
To'lad, nativity. 

Tophel, To'-fel, ruin, folly, insipid. 
Tophet, To'-fet, a drum, betraying. 
Tro'as, penetrated. 
Trogyllium, Tro-jil'-le-um, a city 

in the isle of Samos. 
Trophimus, Tmf'-fe-mus, well edu- 
cated. 
Tryphena, Try -fee' -noli, delicate. 
Trypho'sa, thrice shining. 
Tu'bal, the earth, confusion. 
Tu'bal-ca'in, worldly possession, 

jealous of confusion. 
Tychicus, Tik'-e-cus, casual, hap- 
pening. 
Tyran'nus, a prince, one that reigns. 
Tyre, Ty'rus, in Hebrew, Sor, or 
Tzur, strength. 

Ucal, Yew'-kal, power, prevalency. 
TJlai, Yew'-la-i,or Yew-! ay'. strength. 
Ulam, Yeio'-lam, the porch, their 

strength. 
Ul'la, elevation, holocaust, leaf. 



Un'ni, poor, afflicted. 

Uphaz, Yew'-faz, gold of Phasis 01 
Pison. 

Ur, fire, light. 

Urba'nus, civil, courteous. 

Uri, Yew'-ri, my light or fire. 

Uriah, Urijah, Yew-ry'-ah, Yew-ry'- 
jah, the Lord is my light or fire. 

TJri'el, God is my light or fire. 

Urim and Thummim, Yew'-rim and 
Thum'-mim, lights and perfection. 

Uz, counsel; in Syriac, to fix. 

Uz'zah, strength, a goat. 

Uzzen-sherah, Uz'-zen-xhee'-rah, ear 
of the flesh or of the parent. 

Uz'zi, my strength, my kid. 

Uzzi'ah, the strength of the Lord. 

Uzzi'el, the strength of God. 

Uzzielites, Uz-zy'-el-ites, the pos- 
terity of Uzziel. 

Vash'ni, the second. 
Vash'ti, that drinks, thread. 
Vophsi, Vof'-si, fragment, diminu- 
tion. 

Zaana'nim, movings. 

Za'bad, a dowry. 

Zab'di, portion, dowry. 

Zaccheus,^a/c-£ee'-?(6-,pure,justified. 

Zachari'ah, memory of the Lord. 

Za'dok, just, justified. 

Za'ham, crime, impurity. 

Zair, Zay'-ir, little, afflicted. 

Zal'mon, his shade, obscurity. 

Zalmo'nah, the shade, your image. 

Zalmun'na, shadow, image. 

Zamzum'mims, thinking, wicked- 
ness. 

Zano'ah. forgetfulness, this rest. 

Zaphnath-paaneah, Z<<f'-nat~h-pay~ 
a-nee'-nh, one that discovers hid- 
den things; in the Egyptian 
tongue, a saviour of the world. 

Za'rah, east, brightness. 

Zarephath, Zar'-re-fatJi, ambush of 
the mouth. 

Zare'tan, tribulation, perplexity. 

Za'za, belonging to all; in Syriac a 
going back. 

Zebadi'ah, portion of the Lord. 

Ze'bah, victim, immolation. 

Zeb'edee, abundant portion. 

Zebo'im, deer, goats. 

Ze'bul, a habitation. 



36Q 



THE ODD-FELLOWS TEXT-BOOK. 



Zeb'ulun, dwelling, habitation. 

Zechari'ah. See Zaehariah. 

Ze'dad, his side, his hunting. 

Zedeki'iih, the Lord is niy justice. 

Zeeb, Zee'-eb, wolf. 

Ze'lek, the noise of him that licks 
or laps. 

Zelophehad, Ze-lo' -fe-ad, the shade 
or tingling of fear. 

Zelotes, Ze'-lo-tes, jealous, full of 
zeal. 

Zel'zah, noontide. 

Ze'nas, living. 

Zephani'ah, the Lord is my secret, 
the mouth of the Lord. 

Zephath, Zee'-fath, which beholds, 
attends. 

Ze'pho, that sees and observes. 

Zer, perplexity, tribulation, a rock. 

Ze'rah. See Zarah. 

Zeredah, Zer'-e-dah, or Ze-ree'-dah, 
ambush. 

Ze'resh, misery, stranger. 

Ze'ror, root, that straitens, a stone. 

Zeru'ah, leprous, hornet. 

Zerubbabel, Ze-rub' -ba-bel, banish- 
ed, a stranger at Babylon, disper- 
sion of confusion. 

Zeruiah, Zer-ew-i'-ah, pain, tribu- 
lation. 

Ze'than, their olive. 

Ze'thar,he that examines or beholds. 

Zi'ba, army, fight, strength, stag. 

Zib'eon, iniquity that dwells, the 
seventh. 

Zib'iah, deer, goat, honorable and 
fine. 

Zichri, Zic'-ri, that remembers, a 
male. 

Zid'dim, huntings; in Syriae, de- 
structions. 

Zi'doti, hunting, fishing, venison. 

Zido'nians, inhabitants of Zidon. 



Zif, this, that; according to the 
Syriac, brightness. 

Zik'lag, measure pressed down. 

Zil'lah, shadow, which is roasted, 
the tingling of the ear. 

Zil'pah, distillation, contempt of 
the mouth. 

Zim'ran, song, singer, vine. 

Zitn'ri, my field, my vine, my branch. 

Zin, buckler, coldness. 

Zi'on, a monument, sepulchre, tur- 
ret. 

Zi'or, ship of him that watches, 
ship of the enemy. 

Ziph, Ziff, this mouth, mouthful. 

Zip'por, bird, crown; according to 
the Syriac, early in the morning, 
goat. 

Zip'porah, beauty, trumpet. 

Zith'ri, to hide, overturned. 

Ziz, flower, a lock of hair; accord- 
ing to the Syriac, wing, feather. 

Zi'za. See Zaza. 

Zo'an, motion. 

Zo'ar, little, small. 

Zo'bar, an army, a swelling. 

Zo'har, white, shining, dryness 

Zohe'leth, that creeps or draws. 

Zophar,Zo' -far, rising early, crown ; 
in Syriac, sparrow, goat. 

Zo'rah, leprosy, scab. 

Zorobabel, Zo-rob' -ba-bel. See Ze- 
rubbabel. 

Zuar, Zew'-ar, small. 

Zuph, that observes, roof. 

Zur, stone, plan, form. 

Zuri'el, the rock or strength of God, 

T i \xv\sh.a,A.(\.ii\,Zew' -ry-skad' -da-i.ihe 
Almighty is my rock, splendor, 
beauty. ^^ 

Zu'zims, the posts of a d .splen- 
dor ; in Syriac, departing monay ; 
in Chaldee. strong. 



THE END. 



H 84 89 1 



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#OCT 89 
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